The Toronto Tempo took the first step toward building the franchise’s inaugural roster today, selecting 11 players in the 2026 Tempo Expansion Draft presented by Instacart. 

One of two new franchises set to join the league, and the first to call Canada home, the Tempo selected players from a league-designated pool of available players, marking a major milestone ahead of the team’s inaugural season, which tips off in May.  

“Today is an important step in building the foundation of the Toronto Tempo,” said Monica Wright Rogers, General Manager, Toronto Tempo. “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.” 

The list of players selected includes Marina Mabrey (Connecticut Sun), Nikolina Milic (Connecticut Sun), María Conde (Golden State Valkyries), Kristy Wallace (Indiana Fever), Aaliyah Nye (Las Vegas Aces), Julie Allemand (Los Angeles Sparks), Maria Kliundikova (Minnesota Lynx), Adja Kane (New York Liberty), Nyara Sabally (New York Liberty), Lexi Held (Phoenix Mercury), and Kitija Laksa (Phoenix Mercury). As a result of a trade earlier this week, the Tempo passed on selecting a player from the Chicago Sky and did not select players from the Seattle Storm, Washington Mystics, Atlanta Dream, or Dallas Wings.   

The Tempo’s selections include two former WNBA champions (Sabally, Nye). The picks also reflect the league’s global reach, with seven international players representing Spain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Australia, Belgium, Germany, Russia, France, and Latvia. Together, the group brings a blend of championship experience, international competition at the highest level, and positional versatility as the Tempo begin building their identity in the WNBA. 

Under Expansion Draft rules, each of the league’s 13 teams was permitted to protect up to five players. The Tempo could select up to 2 players from each team, acquiring either the player’s contract or the player’s negotiating rights. If a selected player was not signed for the 2026 season, Toronto retains the same rights previously held by that player’s former team. 

The Tempo were also permitted to select one player eligible to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2026 season, provided the player had not previously had two or more seasons under a Core Player contract. 

With the Expansion Draft complete, the Tempo will now turn its attention to free agency and the Entry Draft presented by TurboTax on April 13, where the team holds picks 6, 22, 26, and 36.