The latest in a series of strategically timed releases from Project B points to some smart behaviour from its leadership. Announcing new arrivals like Angela Dugalic and Antonia Delaere during the WNBA break for the FIBA Women’s World Cup is no accident, writes Emmet Ryan.

For a league that hasn’t even played a single game yet, Project B is already showing it’s got some strong tactical nous. Three September releases, all during the WNBA break for the FIBA Women’s World Cup, point to its intent to generate interest before the barnstorming show starts off play.

We begin on 2 September

Just as most of the teams were arriving in Berlin for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup, Project B dropped the big news that Russell Westbrook was being named a co-founder and appointed chief strategy officer.

“At every step of my career, what was most valuable to me was making sure everyone had a seat at the table,” Westbrook said. “With Project B, we’re challenging the norm and bringing a new vision to the intersection of premium sport, culture, and entertainment. We’re reimagining the experience with players not only as key value drivers, but also as shareholders and decision makers.”

More importantly, it was Russ making a big statement for the league during a quiet enough window news wise. Project B managed to get the announcement out right after Labor Day in the US and during the WNBA break. They didn’t wait long for their next one.

Just 48 hours later

While not as big a deal, it was still a well-timed one. Project B announced that it would hold a training camp in Seoul, South Korea, for a week in January of 2027. In addition, it announced that Jihyun Park had joined the list of players taking part in the competition.

Considering only two of the seven host cities have been announced to date, showing any movement geographically is interesting. The confirmed venues are Valencia in Spain and Tokyo in Japan. I fully expect at least one more venue to be announced before the end of the FIBA Women’s World Cup.

Playing one in Saudi Arabia is unlikely but for the right price they might yet. Given the league has publicly denied it is receiving funding from Saudi, it could do with not giving the WNBA something easy to criticise. At least one more in Europe and East Asia feels like a lock. Holding a training camp in Korea hints at them likely looking at China for the other venue in that region.

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Which brings us to today

A raft of new players were announced on Thursday, quarter finals day at the FIBA Women’s World Cup. These were: Angela Dugalić, Antonia Delaere, Betnijah Laney-Hamilton, Brionna Jones, Makayla Timpson and Valériane Ayayi.

That brings the total number of players committed to 22 from 13 nations. The goal here clearly is to develop international appeal. “The FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup is one of the clearest expressions of what makes this game so powerful: the best players in the world, representing their countries and bringing their own styles, cultures and identities to the court,” said Alana Beard, Project B chief basketball officer.

“That same global excellence is at the heart of Project B. We have players from across our roster competing in Berlin, and it’s an incredible opportunity for fans around the world to see the caliber of talent and get to know the leaders who are helping shape the platform we’re building.”

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So what to make of it?

The big differentiator between Project B and the other competitor leagues, Athletes Unlimited and Unrivaled, is that it’s heavily focused on the market beyond the US. While the growth of NCAA women’s hoops and, in turn, the WNBA has seen the boom happen there, there’s clearly an opportunity to generate revenue elsewhere.

That the teams won’t be tied to specific cities, in a format similar to the PBA in the Philippines, is interesting. Even at the FIBA Women’s World Cup, it’s been clear that geographic and cultural ties are huge in most of the world when it comes to getting fans in the door.

The natural option, one this site will go in-depth on in the coming months, is a clear alliance between the WNBA and Euroleague Women. Unlike the men’s game, that is run by FIBA so the complication of the main league in Europe being its own actor is removed. Of course, that might be going away too.

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This was never a contest but it was a game that reaffirmed what we already knew about Breanna Stewart and Caitlin Clark. Hungary’s catastrophic defensive strategy ended this earlier than expected but, Emmet Ryan writes, the USA was never losing this game.

This was never going to be a close one. That was made even more apparent when Hungary decided that man D was the best approach to take in this game. We didn’t learn anything new but were reminded of what we already know.

Breanna Stewart should be MVP of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup if the USA ends up winning gold and Caitlin Clark is having a frustrating time out there. We knew this, we saw it again, and we’ve no reason to expect this to change.

Even off-ball, Stewie delivers big

Hungary were also going to face an enormous challenge in this game. On a pure player for player comparison, the USA had them and they knew it. To have any chance, Dorka Juhasz was going to need to have the game of her life and then some.

So having her assigned defensively to take on Breanna Stewart really didn’t help that cause. Stewie consistently drew Dorka out to the elbow, creating oodles of space inside for the rest of the USA to operate. When Dorka moved off to do some help D, Stewie quickly got in position to either score or draw a foul.

Going man on Stewie rather than bringing the zone was certainly a surprise from the Hungarians. It was playing right into the hands of the favourites for the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup. With Stewie also guarding Dorka at the other end, she was able to restrict the impact of Hungary’s best player.

Stay calm and enjoy basketball

This game happened to coincide with a test of Germany’s emergency notification system. The all-clear dropped late in the first quarter, with the PA announcing “stay calm and enjoy basketball.”

The same advice might well serve Caitlin Clark well. Through the midway point of this tournament, she is understandably frustrated. While she put up good numbers in the opener against China, the bulk of that came with the result already beyond doubt. Since then, she’s struggled to impose herself offensively for the USA.

A huge part of it is definitely systematic but it’s also clearly getting in her head at this stage. This tournament was meant to showcase Clark in all her glory, so far she simply hasn’t been able to do that. Relaxing more and just letting it flow was what she needed.

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There we are

Caitlin Clark has continued to succeed as a creator despite her scoring troubles. In this game there were signs she’s finally ok with that. As Clark proved more of a committed pass first player in this game, the scoring opportunities started to come.

Clark nailed a lovely three from the left elbow at the midpoint of the second quarter. The result was already long beyond doubt. Yet you could feel the relief coming off the floor when it went in.

Now, the obvious question is can she maintain this calm in the medal rounds. Whether it’s Spain or Australia, it’s safe to assume they’ll put up a more coherent display than Hungary. At the very least, neither should be foolish enough to commit to man D against the US starting five.

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Caitlin Clark looked more comfortable as a creator against Hungary, with signs that the scoring may follow once she settles into the role. (Pic: FIBA)

An ideal situation

The decision to put this game in the opening slot probably annoyed everyone interested in this USA team aside from the players and coaching staff. Kara Lawson was able to rotate at will after a quarter of play and has the longest possible rest for her team.

While getting more than one true test in the run to the medal rounds would have helped, it was never likely. The draw kept most of the other medal contenders away from the Americans as it was. That Italy gave them a stern test is, if anything, a bonus for them.

It has been 20 years since the US lost a women’s basketball game in either the Olympics or FIBA World Cup. That streak almost got broken two years ago. It will be put to the test once more in two days time. The Americans should have too much in that but, a day later, the task will be even greater.

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A facile victory over Czechia was what the USA needed but, Emmet Ryan writes, there are still big issues to address before the medal rounds of the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup.

Czechia, already eliminated before this game, were never likely to pose much of a threat to the USA. The Americans leaned into their strengths and also showed more fluidity in the offensive half court as they moved to 3-0 with ease.

Yet there are still tough calls to be made, even with a very favourable quarter final draw awaiting them.

Letting them cook

It’s so much easier for everyone when there are clear leaders on the floor. Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart were clearly that in this game. Stewie’s role really is the difference between the USA getting into dogfights and taking full control of games.

When the Americans run the game through her, they open up the entire half court. We saw that on full display here as Stewart was able to mix it up between scorer and creator to confuse the Czechia D at her leisure.

For those around her, it made offensive spacing so much more logical. Collier and Jackie Young aside, the biggest beneficiary was arguably Angel Reese. As a two-headed tandem with serious length, she and Stewie could lean into their individual strengths to blend together brilliantly on the floor.

What about the other youngsters?

It’s still not terribly clear what Kara Lawson and her staff want the pairing of Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark to be on the floor. It’s like each is being forced into a combo-guard role that isn’t enough of either spot.

Creatively, both are playing more than soundly in this tournament. Considering the overall offensive challenges for the USA, enabling them to both play as creators first might well be the best option for the Americans. It’s not like they lack capable scorers elsewhere.

That being said, it really feels like more defined roles for both would deliver bigger results. Right now there’s excess deferral from both of them when, let’s be honest, they are each at their best when allowed to be voracious. It’s reminiscent of the first season issues between Kyrie Irving and Luka Doncic, they were both too respectful to each other when embracing greed ended up benefiting both.

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The road is clearing up nicely

The way the draw has broken for the USA, even before the tournament, means they avoid most of the serious threats until the medal rounds. Belgium, France, and Australia are all on the other side of the bracket and can’t meet the Americans before the final.

Thursday will see the USA face the winner of Hungary and Japan. The latter obviously has some streaky shooting that can make them dangerous but they also don’t look to be the force they once were. Hungary would be trickier but a loss to them would be only slightly less apocalyptic than had they fallen to Italy on Sunday.

That means Kara Lawson should have one more game, as well as the rest days that come with it, to settle on what she believes is her best line-up. There’s still too much deference to veterans and not enough of a shot being given to the younger players to win the starting minutes.

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Breanna Stewart looked like the player capable of making everyone else click for the USA, making their offensive sets move more naturally (Pic: FIBA)

A word to the wise

Italy, who you may recall nearly stunned the USA on Sunday while shutting down Caitlin Clark, showed the cost of going all-out against the US. China made light work of an exhausted Italian side in the other game in the group, securing second and a play-in game against Puerto Rico.

Italy instead have a day to rest up before battling Australia. If the USA were to fall before the final, with a potential match-up with Spain in the semi-final the only real threat to that, it bodes ill for whoever may fell them.

Much like the men’s World Cup in 2006, when Greece were out of gas after beating the US when they fell to Spain in the final, the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup may see a team beat the Americans but struggle to win again. That’s the price of going all out to beat the team with the biggest target on its back.

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On a day where nerves could have confounded them, a confidence fuelled Germany took control against Mali to punch their ticket to the knockout stage of the 2026 FIBA World Cup. Emmet Ryan on a day where Deutschland proved they belong at this level.

The arithmetic was simple, if a touch mind bending. If Spain won in the Max Schmeling, then Mali needed to win here. If Japan won there, Germany couldn’t afford to lose. Not that there was anything either could do to sway affairs there so they might as well take care of business here.

Hearing fear in the joy

While not quite a sellout, it was a strong home crowd in the Uber Arena. Much like they had against Japan, albeit without quite the same intensity, Germany sought to be front runners in this one.

While the offensive game was solid, it was on the defensive end where the hosts looked strongest early. Mali’s efforts to create chances on the interior looked rudimentary but the switches from Deutschland were still impressive.

Through it all, the crowd had something. Every cheered score and stop, the roar came with an underlying fear of trailing. These fans are desperate for a deep run. Winning this one, irrespective of the other result, creates their best chance at that. The unspoken sense of ‘please don’t fail’ was inescapable.

Arc issues before the shift

Germany and Mali combined for a hideous 3 of 17 from deep to open the game. Much of this was, oddly, down to how determined both sides were to attack the interior. With neither willing to give up an inch inside, it led to most outside efforts being matters of last resort.

It was Deutschland that solved the issue first. Actually looking for the three led to a much smoother and more balanced offensive game from them. The conversion rates for both were still nothing to write home about but they were far from hideous. Fundamentally, Germany were simply getting it done more and that helped them open up a big lead.

Mali’s offensive game was leaning heavily on Djeneba N’Diaye and Alima Dembele but both were finding work hard on the open floor. The pressure on that duo however meant there was less pressure on the supporting cast, as Mali fought to stay in touch. Yet by the halfway point, it was looking a tall order.

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They’ve found whatever was missing

Perhaps it was early tournament nerves. Maybe it was the pressure of being hosts. Whatever it was that caused Germany to be just awful against Spain, it’s gone now. This is a side that plays with confidence and wants to front-run.

Whatever the case, this is a side that will return on Tuesday with the belief that it can beat Korea. Going back to, really, the third quarter against Japan, this side has managed to put aside whatever doubts were rolling about in their heads.

This is a team brimming with confidence and the belief that it can beat anyone in this tournament. Given the wave of injury issues and lack of experience at this level, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Still, this Deutschland team has lost its fear. That makes it a tough out.

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Whatever way you cut it

If you had told this Germany team they’d reach the last eight of this tournament before it started, with two group wins at that, they’d have privately been overjoyed. It’s not a lock yet, of course, but the chance is real and the support will come too.

A tournament that has already set all kinds of records for ticket sales is sure to see a surge for the first day of the play-ins. Frieda Buhner are now proper faces for the sport in this country in addition to the impact of Leonie Fiebach and the Sabally sisters. The game against Korea promises to be fierce but the hosts will enter with belief.

There is a collective grit on the defensive end coupled with relaxed order offensively that is driving this side forward. After the win over Japan, Lina Sontag told me it was important that Germany land the first punch following their poor display against Spain. Well now they look capable of going toe-to-toe with nearly anyone.

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Italy came oh so close to the greatest upset in the history of basketball at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup. The 30.5 favourites USA looked utterly rudderless against an Italy team that came with organisation as well as belief. The way the USA is playing right now, is putting an unnecessary ceiling on their potential, writes Emmet Ryan.