Toronto Tempo Begins Roster Construction with WNBA Expansion Draft
The Toronto Tempo, Canada's newest professional sports franchise, has taken a significant step forward by acquiring its first batch of players through the WNBA's expansion draft. This pivotal event occurred on Friday, with the Tempo and the Portland Fire alternating selections to build their inaugural rosters.
Key Selections and Strategic Moves
Toronto's first pick in the draft was Julie Allemand, a guard formerly with the Los Angeles Sparks, selected as the second overall pick. This came after Portland surprisingly chose Canadian Bridget Carleton from the Minnesota Lynx, preventing a potential homecoming for Carleton this summer. The Tempo had won a recent coin flip but opted to secure a higher position in the upcoming WNBA college draft in exchange for selecting behind the Fire during the expansion draft.
In total, the Tempo selected 11 players, emphasizing veteran guards and experienced athletes. The roster additions include:
- Marina Mabrey (Connecticut Sun)
- Nikolina Milic (Connecticut Sun)
- María Conde (Golden State Valkyries)
- Kristy Wallace (Indiana Fever)
- Aaliyah Nye (Las Vegas Aces)
- Maria Kliundikova (Minnesota Lynx)
- Adja Kane (New York Liberty)
- Nyara Sabally (New York Liberty)
- Lexi Held (Phoenix Mercury)
- Kitija Laksa (Phoenix Mercury)
Notably, Toronto did not select players from the Seattle Storm, Washington Mystics, Atlanta Dream, and Dallas Wings. Additionally, they avoided picking a Chicago Sky player after acquiring the 26th pick in the college draft in exchange for this agreement.
Leadership Vision and Team Culture
Monica Wright Rogers, the Tempo's general manager, expressed enthusiasm about the draft outcomes in a release. "Today is an important step in building the foundation of the Toronto Tempo," she stated. "Our goal was to construct a roster that reflects the style of play and culture we want to establish — one that balances competitiveness with long-term flexibility, and features players who bring versatility, toughness, and winning experience. This group gives us the ability to compete from day one while continuing to build, and embraces the opportunity to help shape something new in a new country as Canada's first WNBA team."
Julie Allemand, who will turn 30 in July, is a two-time EuroBasket champion and is widely regarded as an excellent passer. Marina Mabrey, another veteran guard set to turn 30 in September, has a strong track record, having finished fourth in reserve of the year voting for three consecutive seasons before a slump last year. As an unrestricted free agent, Mabrey represents a strategic acquisition, with expansion teams allowed to select one UFA and gain exclusive negotiating rights.
Strategic Focus and Future Prospects
The Tempo's decision to prioritize veterans and guards over younger players may be influenced by the success of the Golden State Valkyries, an expansion team that made the playoffs last season and found gems in their own expansion draft. This approach aims to ensure immediate competitiveness while fostering long-term growth.
Looking ahead, the WNBA is set to expand further, with Cleveland joining in 2028, Detroit in 2029, and Philadelphia in 2030, indicating more expansion drafts in the future. The upcoming WNBA college draft is scheduled for Monday, April 13, where Toronto will have the sixth overall pick. It is estimated that approximately 80% of the league's players are currently free agents, adding complexity to roster management.
Training camps are set to open on April 19, with the regular season commencing in May. As the Tempo continues to shape its identity, these initial selections mark a crucial phase in establishing a formidable presence in the WNBA and captivating basketball fans across Canada.
