Portland Fire select Bridget Carleton as top WNBA expansion draft pick

Unrestricted free agent Carleton chosen first overall by new franchise

Apr. 3, 2026 at 10:44pm by Ben Kaplan

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic movements and energy of a WNBA basketball game, with sharp geometric shapes in bold primary colors.The Portland Fire's strategic selection of Bridget Carleton as the top pick in the WNBA expansion draft signals their intent to build a competitive inaugural roster.Portland Today

In the 2026 WNBA expansion draft, the newly formed Portland Fire selected Bridget Carleton, an unrestricted free agent, as the top overall pick. Carleton, a veteran forward, will be a key addition to the Fire's inaugural roster as they prepare to join the league.

Why it matters

The expansion draft is a critical event for new WNBA franchises to build competitive rosters. Carleton's selection as the top pick signals the Fire's intent to build a strong team and be competitive from the start, which will generate excitement for the league's expansion into the Portland market.

The details

Carleton, a 6-foot-1 forward, has played in the WNBA since 2019 and has career averages of 9.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game. She was an unrestricted free agent after spending the last three seasons with the Minnesota Lynx.

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

The players

Bridget Carleton

A veteran forward who was selected as the top overall pick in the 2026 WNBA expansion draft by the new Portland Fire franchise.

Portland Fire

A new WNBA franchise that was formed as part of the league's expansion and selected Bridget Carleton as their first pick in the 2026 expansion draft.

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What’s next

The Portland Fire will now continue to build out their inaugural roster through free agency and trades as they prepare for their first WNBA season.

The takeaway

Carleton's selection as the top pick in the expansion draft demonstrates the Fire's commitment to building a competitive team and generating excitement for WNBA basketball in the Portland market.