WNBA Expansion Draft Sees Portland Fire, Toronto Tempo Make Picks

New franchises select top talent in league-wide player selection process.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 11:10pm by Ben Kaplan

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented WNBA basketball game, with the bright colors of the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo uniforms creating a dynamic visual representation of the league's expansion.The WNBA expansion draft sets the stage for an infusion of new talent and competitive energy across the league.Portland Today

The WNBA held its expansion draft on Monday, with the newly formed Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo franchises selecting players from the existing league rosters to build their inaugural squads. The Fire made Bridget Carleton the first overall pick, while the Tempo chose Marina Mabrey with their top selection.

Why it matters

The WNBA expansion draft is a critical event for growing the league, as it allows new teams to acquire top talent and establish competitive rosters. The selections made by Portland and Toronto will shape the future of the WNBA and impact the balance of power across the league.

The details

In the expansion draft, each existing WNBA team was allowed to protect up to 6 players from their roster, with the remaining unprotected players eligible to be selected by the new franchises. The Fire and Tempo each made 12 selections, with Carleton and Mabrey being the first players off the board.

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

The players

Bridget Carleton

A 28-year-old wing player who was selected first overall by the Portland Fire in the expansion draft.

Marina Mabrey

A 27-year-old guard who was selected second overall by the Toronto Tempo in the expansion draft.

Portland Fire

A new WNBA franchise based in Portland, Oregon that participated in the 2026 expansion draft.

Toronto Tempo

A new WNBA franchise based in Toronto, Canada that participated in the 2026 expansion draft.

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What they’re saying

“We're thrilled to have Bridget Carleton as the foundation of our new franchise. She's a proven two-way player who will be a cornerstone for us.”

— Cheryl Reeve, General Manager, Portland Fire

“Marina Mabrey is exactly the type of dynamic guard we wanted to build our team around. She's going to be a fan favorite in Toronto.”

— Noelle Quinn, Head Coach, Toronto Tempo

What’s next

The Fire and Tempo will now continue to build out their rosters through free agency and trades ahead of the 2026 WNBA season.

The takeaway

The WNBA expansion draft represents an exciting new chapter for the league, as Portland and Toronto add two competitive teams that will push the existing franchises to raise their level of play.