A New Era for Offseason Play
Azzi Fudd, the former University of Connecticut star who helped the Huskies capture back‑to‑back national titles, announced this week that she will join Project B, a newly formed basketball league that operates during the WNBA offseason, rather than signing with the rival Unrivaled circuit.
Project B has already bolstered its roster with a handful of WNBA veterans, including Nneka Ogwumike, Kelsey Mitchell and Jonquel Jones, signaling an intent to blend experience with emerging talent.
Fudd’s choice underscores a growing preference among top prospects for international competition, a trend that also saw prospects such as Paige Bueckers and Caitlin Clark elect to sit out domestic offseason leagues or pursue opportunities abroad.
Rising Competition Abroad
Across the Atlantic, France has emerged as a formidable challenger; the French national team came within a whisker of defeating the United States in a Paris friendly two years ago, and a new generation of players such as Gabby Williams, Dominique Malonga and Janelle Salaün is now making its mark.
The lack of FIBA exposure among the next wave of American players could translate into tactical gaps when they return to the global stage, potentially reshaping the balance of power in women’s basketball.
Implications for the U.S. Pipeline
If the pipeline that once fed the national team with seasoned, internationally seasoned athletes dries up, USA Basketball may need to rethink its development strategy, perhaps investing more in overseas experience or creating domestic pathways that mimic the competitive intensity of leagues like Project B.