Blockbuster! Project B Lands Projected Top WNBA Pick, Eyes December Start

Project B has made a splash in the women's basketball scene by securing the signature of Awa Fam, a player projected to be the number one pick in the upcoming WNBA draft. This strategic move underscores Project B's ambition to become a hub for global talent. The league, which initially planned its debut in November, is now aiming to start in December, according to internal sources.

Project B co-founder and chief basketball officer Alana Beard spared no praise for Fam, highlighting her potential to become a global superstar. "A lot of people don't know her because she is in Spain, but I can tell you just from my impressions of her, she's going to surprise a lot of people," Beard stated, generating great anticipation around the young player.

Before Fam's arrival, Project B had already garnered attention by announcing the addition of WNBA figures such as Nneka Ogwumike (2016 MVP), Alyssa Thomas, Jonquel Jones, and Jewell Loyd. In addition to Fam, other players like Kamilla Cardoso (Sky), Kelsey Mitchell and Sophie Cunningham (Fever), and Leonie Fiebich (New York Liberty) are also part of the 13 players confirmed so far.

The league, which will feature six teams of 11 players each, seeks to complement the women's basketball ecosystem, according to Beard. "We have flexibility and we're really happy with how we're positioned in the space," she added, referring to the potential overlap of schedules with the WNBA.

Project B's vision focuses on the development of international players, and the addition of Fam is a clear example of this. The league is working closely with Miško Ražnatović, a renowned agent who has boosted the careers of numerous European NBA stars, including Nikola Jokic. Beard acknowledged Ražnatović's importance in the development of European talent.

Fam made her professional debut with Valencia, a renowned Spanish basketball club, before turning 18. Project B plans to adopt development methods similar to those used by Ražnatović and Valencia in its own program.

Project B has confirmed that Valencia will be the second stop on its tour, with matches scheduled from March 12 to March 21. The last stop of the tour will be in Tokyo, from March 26 to April 4. The full schedule is expected to include seven stops in Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Although Beard did not reveal details about the coaching staff, she did say that she will rely on Ražnatović's experience for the selection of the same. The league seeks to establish a standard of excellence, complementing the work done by the WNBA and its players.

While the specific details of Awa Fam's contract have not been made public, it has been reported that the league is offering multi-million dollar salaries to star players. This level of investment underscores Project B's commitment to creating a competitive and attractive league for the best players in the world.

"We have so much access to information," Beard said. "It only validates the depth of the talent pool. When you think about Awa in this context, she is the cornerstone of that vision for us. She's one of those pieces."