Both WNBA Players from Alabama Picked in Expansion Draft

The Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo selected former Alabama stars in the 2026 WNBA expansion draft.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 8:52pm by Ben Kaplan

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented WNBA basketball game, with sharp planes of color representing the dynamic action on the court.The expansion draft marks a new era of growth for the WNBA, with two rising stars from Alabama set to lead the charge for the league's newest franchises.Portland Today

In the 2026 WNBA expansion draft, the new Portland Fire franchise selected former Spain Park High School star Sarah Ashlee Barker from the Los Angeles Sparks, while the Toronto Tempo chose Aaliyah Nye from the Las Vegas Aces. Both Barker and Nye were rookies in the 2025 WNBA season after being drafted out of the University of Alabama.

Why it matters

The WNBA's expansion to Portland and Toronto marks the first time the league has added new franchises since 2016. The selection of two players from the state of Alabama highlights the growing talent pipeline from the college basketball powerhouse to the professional ranks.

The details

Barker, the 9th overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, averaged 3.1 points and 1.9 rebounds in 34 games with the Sparks as a rookie. Nye, the 13th overall pick in 2025, averaged 3.8 points and 1.5 rebounds in 44 regular-season games with the Aces, also appearing in 6 playoff games as Las Vegas won the 2025 WNBA championship.

  • The WNBA expansion draft took place on Friday, April 3, 2026.
  • The Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo will begin play in the 2026 WNBA season.

The players

Sarah Ashlee Barker

A former star at Spain Park High School in Alabama, Barker was the 9th overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks.

Aaliyah Nye

Nye was the 13th overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft by the Las Vegas Aces, where she appeared in 44 regular-season games and 6 playoff games as a rookie, helping the Aces win the 2025 WNBA championship.

Portland Fire

The new WNBA expansion franchise based in Portland, Oregon that selected Barker in the 2026 expansion draft.

Toronto Tempo

The new WNBA expansion franchise based in Toronto, Canada that selected Nye in the 2026 expansion draft.

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What they’re saying

“We're thrilled to welcome Sarah Ashlee Barker to the Portland Fire. Her talent and experience will be a great addition as we build our inaugural roster.”

— Cheryl Reeve, General Manager, Portland Fire

“Aaliyah Nye is exactly the kind of player we wanted to build our Toronto Tempo franchise around. Her championship pedigree and Alabama roots make her a perfect fit.”

— Noelle Quinn, Head Coach, Toronto Tempo

What’s next

The Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo will continue to build out their rosters through free agency and the 2026 WNBA Draft as they prepare for their inaugural seasons.

The takeaway

The selection of two players with Alabama ties in the WNBA expansion draft highlights the growing pipeline of talent from the state to the professional ranks. As the league expands to new markets, these homegrown stars will play a key role in building the brands of the new franchises.