Project B targets top players from the WNBA to make the league more competitive and entertaining for fans. The list of big stars from the WNBA moving to the new league includes 2025 WNBA Champion Jewell Loyd, who also joined Project B in November.
Though there is no immediate impact on the WNBA schedules due to Project B, the players’ moves are certainly concerning. Meanwhile, the Aces superstar was in an exclusive interview with Yahoo, where she discussed changes in the league, the physicality of the league, and also Kobe Bryant, her mentor.
Jewell Loyd Talks About Kobe Bryant’s Impact And Her Tattoo Inspired By Laker Legend
The 2015 first overall pick by the Seattle Storm already found major support for her career as the Los Angeles Lakers ‘ legend Kobe Bryant took her under his roof and mentored her. Astonishingly, he gave her the nickname ‘Gold Mamba’, replicating his court name ‘Black Mamba’.
She recently spoke about it in the interview and said, “My mindset really shifted once Kobe passed because we used to talk all the time about things beyond basketball. … We could have talked about pick and roll [plays] all day. We could have talked about drop coverage and how to attack the pick and rolls, and all basketball terminology. But we talked about life.”
She mentioned that she didn’t consider sports as a profession. But after the passing of the five-time NBA champion, it all hit hard. She even recalled one inspirational letter KB wrote to her, which she later tattooed on her hand.
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“He wrote me a letter. I actually have it tattooed on my hand, and I look at it every day. It says, “Be epic and create forever.” That’s what he always told me to do. He didn’t tell me how to do it, he didn’t tell me what it looked like. … Once [he died], I started thinking about my life and how I can affect change in other people and having access to certain things that I do,” said Jewell Loyd.
The player took his advice and teaching seriously, as she went on to win three WNBA championships, which, sadly, he couldn’t witness. The recent title was a special one for the former Storm guard as it was brutally honest about her redemption journey with the Las Vegas Aces. Team leader A’ja Wilson also praised the veteran guard for her impact.
A’ja Wilson Opens Up On “Magical Experience” Playing Alongside Jewell Loyd
The former Notre Dame was a shocking addition to the Aces from the Strom, but Becky Hammon worked closely with the veteran guard and maximized her impact using her ideally for the side. Wilson was already a fan of Lloyd and, during the press conference, reflected on having her as a teammate.
“I had a front row seat to a sweep in the bubble with Jewel (Loyd) with Gold Kobes on. I’m grateful that she’s now with us for sure. … I’m glad she got her A’Ones now. To be able to play alongside Jewel and to see her work is truly magical. Her record in the Finals shows the work that she’s put in,” she said, recalling the 2019 WNBA finals.
A'ja Wilson on Jewell Loyd being 9-0 in the finals
— Moreau Sports Media Prod Co. (@MoreauSportsCo) October 9, 2025
"I had a front row seat to a seat in at the bubble…with the Gold Kobe’s on….
…I’m glad she got on A’one’s now. Go get y’alls.
It’s a method to her madness….My jaw just drops (in admiration) "that’s that damn Jewell… pic.twitter.com/ZxG2FtHViQ
Jewell Loyd holds a 13-0 record in WNBA finals, which highlights her impact and influence on the title-deciding games. For Aces too, the veteran guard delivered a clinical performance.