WNBA stars double down on Project B

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WNBA stars double down on Project B

As the WNBA tips off under a blockbuster new CBA, interest in offseason opportunities hasn’t wavered — with Dallas center Alanna Smith becoming the latest big name to join global 5×5 upstart Project B.

• The news follows prior high-profile signings like LA’s Nneka Ogwumike, Phoenix’s Alyssa Thomas, and Las Vegas’s Jewell Loyd, while Smith’s former Australia teammate Lauren Jackson serves as a key league advisor.

• “I see Project B as a showcase,” said Smith. “We’re going to showcase women’s basketball across the world and it gives different countries a chance to experience what the game can do for people.” (See full report)

How it works: Described as the F1 of basketball, Project B plans to run seven two-week tournaments across Europe, Asia, and North America starting in late 2026.

• “There’s a big difference,” Indiana guard and Project B commit Kelsey Mitchell told Front Office Sports. “Project B gives you a chance to do both, go in and come out, whereas overseas basketball — you’ve gotta be over there eight months or seven months.” (See full report)

Takeaway: As Unrivaled 3×3 and Athletes Unlimited continue to gain ground, Project B is entering an increasingly crowded winter landscape — despite the WNBA’s recent regular-season salary boosts.

PWHL playoffs prepare for puck drop

The 2026 PWHL postseason field is set, as Ottawa joined No. 1 Montréal, No. 2 Boston, and two-time defending champion No. 3 Minnesota with Saturday’s 3-0 win over Toronto.

• The Victoire earned the No. 1 overall seed after a six-round 2-1 shootout win over Seattle on Saturday, opting to face No. 3 Minnesota in this week’s best-of-five semifinal series.

• “[Results] going all the way to the very end on the last day, I think it speaks to the quality of every single team in this league,” said Montréal head coach Kori Cheverie. (Watch full highlights)

How it works: Four teams qualify for the Walter Cup playoffs, with the No. 1 seed earning both home ice and first opponent choice advantage.

• However, the lower seed has gone on to win all four of the third-year league’s previous semifinals — putting the Victoire and Fleet on watch.

• The Frost will look to lean on star Kelly Pannek, after the forward finished the regular season as the PWHL’s Points and Goals Leader. (See full field)

Tune in: The Walter Cup playoffs kick off Thursday at 7 PM ET, live on YouTube.

Oklahoma softball returns to No. 1

Oklahoma softball is back at No. 1, leapfrogging now-No. 2 Nebraska to top this week’s Softball America Top 25 rankings after sweeping No. 15 Georgia.

• The Sooners are also first in the SEC standings, overcoming Alabama to take pole position for a second straight regular season title with just one full weekend remaining in conference play.

• Oklahoma made history this weekend, after slugger Kendall Wells’s first-pitch home run led the program to a new single-season record and broke OU’s individual record — with the freshman now just two homers away from the NCAA individual single-season record. (Watch full highlights)

Bright future: Five different teams have been No. 1 in the last five weeks, with the road to the 2026 World College World Series wide open — and fast approaching.

• As the postseason looms, seniors are keeping an eye on the future, with pro league AUSL handing out 17 “Golden Ticket” draft invites in recent weeks.

• No. 5 UCLA has produced the most potential pros so far, with Jordan Woolery, Megan Grant, and Taylor Tinsley all set to attend the May 4th draft. (See full list)

Tune in: Oklahoma next faces No. 14 Texas A&M on Thursday at 9 PM ET, live on SECN.

Report: Man City targets Arsenal’s Mead, McCabe

The WSL could look very different next season, as The Athletic reported league-leader Manchester City is looking to sign longtime Arsenal stars Beth Mead and Katie McCabe this summer.

• Both the English and Irish international will see their contracts expire at the end of the 2025/26 season, with McCabe also reportedly fielding interest from Chelsea — though the WSL prohibits official signings before June 1st.

• City currently sits six points clear at the top of the WSL table with few weeks remaining — and 2026/27 Champions League qualification all but certain. (See full standings)

Big moves: Several top WSL contracts are set to expire this summer, with silence from current squads indicating an onslaught of roster shakeups once deals begin.

• Chelsea’s Sam Kerr is also on an expiring contract, while the Blues are reportedly eyeing City striker Khadija “Bunny” Shaw and Arsenal targets Barcelona defender Ona Batlle.

Allyson Felix announces Olympic comeback

US sprinter Allyson Felix is teasing a comeback, as the retired 11-time Olympic medalist told TIME Magazine she has her eye on the 2028 LA Olympics.

• “You know, at this age, I should probably be staying home and taking care of my kids, doing all that,” said the 40-year-old. “And just, why not? Let’s flip it on its head.”

• Felix plans to start training with coach Bobby Kersee in October, targeting a competitive return in 2027 — and if all goes well, an Olympic return in 2028. (See full report)

Big picture: The women’s track pioneer retired in 2022 after seven Olympic gold medals, while also becoming an outspoken advocate for mothers in sports.

• “I know, at 40, I am not at my peak,” she said. “I have no illusions about that. I’m very clear in what it is and what I want to see. And so I hope it’s seen that way.”

Quote of the day

Dallas guard Paige Bueckers
addressing her relationship with teammate Azzi Fudd at Wings media day.