5 Young WNBA Players Expansion Teams Should Target

The Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo could land immediate contributors with upside in the expansion draft.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:23pm by Ben Kaplan

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the fragmented action of a WNBA game, with overlapping planes of teal, magenta, and gold conveying the dynamic energy of professional women's basketball.The expansion draft offers the Fire and Tempo a chance to build their rosters with a mix of young talent and immediate impact.San Francisco Today

The upcoming WNBA expansion draft will allow the new Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo franchises to select up to 12 players each. With a limit of only one unrestricted free agent per team, young players on rookie-scale contracts or entering restricted free agency become valuable assets. This article highlights five such players under 25 years old who could be immediate contributors while also providing a foundation for the future: Carla Leite, Isobel Borlase, Laeticia Amihere, Aziaha James, and Haley Jones.

Why it matters

The expansion draft represents a critical moment for the Fire and Tempo to build their inaugural rosters. By targeting young, talented players with upside, the new franchises can find the right balance between short-term competitiveness and long-term success.

The details

The article breaks down the potential availability and strengths of each player. Carla Leite is a 21-year-old guard who played a rotational role for the Golden State Valkyries as a rookie, showing promise despite some inefficiency. Isobel Borlase, 21, just led the WNBL in scoring and proved herself on the international stage with the Australian national team. Laeticia Amihere, a Toronto native, provided energy and athleticism off the bench for the Valkyries. Aziaha James and Haley Jones are dynamic scorers who could step in and contribute immediately for the expansion teams.

  • The WNBA expansion draft will take place on April 3, 2026.

The players

Carla Leite

A 21-year-old guard who played a rotational role for the Golden State Valkyries as a rookie, showing promise despite some inefficiency.

Isobel Borlase

A 21-year-old who just led the WNBL in scoring and proved herself on the international stage with the Australian national team.

Laeticia Amihere

A Toronto native who provided energy and athleticism off the bench for the Golden State Valkyries.

Aziaha James

A dynamic scorer who could step in and contribute immediately for an expansion team.

Haley Jones

A versatile role player who can handle the ball, create for teammates, and battle on the boards, emerging as a bright spot for the Dallas Wings.

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The takeaway

The expansion draft presents a unique opportunity for the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo to build their inaugural rosters with a mix of young talent and immediate contributors. By targeting players like Leite, Borlase, Amihere, James, and Jones, the new franchises can lay a strong foundation for future success while also remaining competitive in their first seasons.