Friday, September 25, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds

Unrivaled Lands Two International Stars Amid Project B Battle

Unrivaled signed French guard Marine Johannès, who had previously been linked to Project B.

John Jones-Imagn Images

Unrivaled has secured two top international players.

French guard Marine Johannès has signed a multiyear deal to join Unrivaled, the 3-on-3 women’s basketball league announced Monday. The announcement comes just days after Unrivaled announced it had signed Canadian forward Bridget Carleton for the 2027 season.

Earlier this month, Unrivaled also announced the signing of WNBA All-Star Gabby Williams, a French-American player and teammate of Johannès on the French national team.

It also comes less than two weeks after Project B, the global basketball league set to launch in December, announced the signing of Dallas Wings guard Azzi Fudd. Fudd had previously signed an NIL deal with Unrivaled. 

Unrivaled and Project B appear to be the two biggest 2027 offseason destinations for WNBA players. Unrivaled has been positioned as a domestic option that offers six-figure salaries, while Project B aims to be an international league that tours across markets. The latter has also offered multi-million dollar salaries to some of its biggest stars.

Unrivaled only has a small handful of slots remaining for 2027, as it only has 48 roster spots and has filled over 90% of them. There is also a six-player developmental pool to help fill teams facing injuries.

But Project B, which has announced 15 players for next season, has already signed two players who played at Unrivaled last year: Indiana Fever guard Kelsey Mitchell and Dallas Wings forward Alanna Smith. 

Johannès had previously been linked to Project B. The New York Liberty guard was one of the WNBA players Project B followed on social media when the league began announcing signees in November

Project B is still following Johannès as of this writing, one of 33 accounts the league follows on X/Twitter and 42 on Instagram. Other accounts it follows includes Ogwumike and league investor Novak Djokovic.

It’s unclear whether Johannès had been in talks to join Project B. Project B and representatives for Johannès did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Project B had previously signed French forward Janelle Salaün, who also plays for the Golden State Valkyries. However, in May, Turkish club Galatasaray announced it had signed Salaün, and Project B confirmed to FOS that she was no longer joining the league. (Johannès played for Galatasaray the last two offseasons.)

A week after Salaün was announced by Galatasaray, Project B announced that French guard Leïla Lacan had signed with the new league. Lacan currently plays for the Connecticut Sun.

Project B originally said it planned to bring in 66 players for its inaugural season. A league spokesperson did not give its target number of players when asked by FOS earlier this month, but said more names are expected to be announced soon. 

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

College Basketball Player Has Been in ICE Custody for Weeks

Aminata Seck is in ICE custody after being detained at an airport.

Draymond Green on LeBron’s Polymarket Deal: ‘I Think It’s Great’

James announced a partnership with Polymarket earlier this month.
Aug 23, 2026; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Toronto Tempo forward Isabelle Harrison (21) defends against Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) in the second half at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images

Can Vancouver Be the WNBA’s Next Market? 

A source says the WNBA has no expansion plans beyond what’s been announced.
Apr 1, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams (5) brings the ball up the court against the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter at Delta Center.

Ryan Smith Doesn’t Want Betting to Take Over Sports

“I think we need a little more moderation in all of it.”
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

9/24/26 – NFL Ratings Rebound, Dart’s Season Over, Haliburton Flies Southwest

0:00

Featured Today

Hot & Social/Mets

Sports Teams Are Playing a New Role: Matchmaker

The latest promotion at the stadium? Love.
Exclusive
September 18, 2026

Vicious Infighting Is Jeopardizing the Future of Women’s Baseball

The WPBL’s own CEO admits there’s a “power struggle.”
September 17, 2026

Fantasy Football Drafts Are Turning Into Full-Blown Vacations

Leagues are forgoing solo drafts and replacing them with in-person getaways.
Oct 4, 2025; Tempe, AZ, USA; General action during the first period of the game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Penn State Nittany Lions at Mullett Arena
September 10, 2026

How Military-Style Workouts in College Sports Get Dangerous

For elite athletes, high-intensity training can be “very appealing.”
September 6, 2026

Is Carolyn Tisch Blodgett the Future Face of Giants Ownership?

Amid changes at top of Giants ownership, eyes are on Tisch Blodgett.
First at FOS

Albert Pujols Says He Pursued MLB Ownership

The three-time MVP said his group was outbid for multiple franchises.
September 21, 2026

Presidents Cup International Team Wants ‘Separation’ From PGA Tour

The U.S. leads the Presidents Cup 13-1-1 all-time.
September 22, 2026

Why Kerri Walsh Jennings Picked a Side in the Volleyball War

The Olympian co-owns the expansion team NorCal Rumble.
Sponsored

How Ryan Smith Is Building the Future of Sports in Utah

Utah Jazz and Mammoth owner talks from tech to team ownership.
Kylian Mbappe On
September 18, 2026

Mbappé Leaves Nike for On As Brand Launches Soccer Division

Thierry Henry joins as the company’s new director of football.
Jul 15, 2026; New York, NY, USA; Kevin Hart arrives on the red carpet before the 2026 ESPY Awards at Lincoln Center.
September 17, 2026

LeBron James and Kevin Hart Planning YouTube Golf Collab

Both celebrities recently launched golf content channels.
asset class
September 16, 2026

Ndamukong Suh Says He Almost Invested in the Seahawks

He also “looked at” the Portland Blazers and Thorns.
Aug 28, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) warms up against the Seattle Seahawks prior to a game at Arrowhead Stadium.
September 14, 2026

Mahomes Comeback Kicks Off ESPN ‘MNF’ Coverage

The two-time NFL MVP is completing a remarkable injury recovery.