Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo, the latest entrants to the Women's National Basketball Association, have bolstered their inaugural rosters through the recent expansion draft. Among the selections, three Australian players have secured a pathway into the North American league.
Nyadiew Puoch, a standout from the UC Capitals in the Women's National Basketball League (WNBL), was notably picked by the Portland Fire. Puoch's performance last season, marked by averages of 11.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 steals, has positioned her as a significant prospect. Her selection comes as Portland makes its return to the WNBA after a 24-year hiatus.
The expansion draft, which took place on Friday, April 3rd, 2026, saw Portland make the first selection, ultimately choosing 11 players. The Toronto Tempo, guided by Australian Opals coach Sandy Brondello, also built its roster, securing Kristy Wallace as their 23rd overall pick.
The inclusion of these Australian talents signifies a shift in the league's landscape. With the WNBA season commencing on May 8th, these players will join an existing cohort of Australian stars in an expanded competition. This follows the recent finalization of a new collective bargaining agreement between the league and its players' union on March 24th.
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Player Selections and Team Building
The expansion draft operates under specific rules designed to populate the two new franchises without entirely dismantling existing teams. Each of the two expansion teams can select only one player from any given existing WNBA team per round. This process is merely the initial phase for both Portland and Toronto, who will continue to build their full rosters through subsequent measures.
Portland Fire has selected Bridget Carleton with their first pick, a move that precedes their own draft slot in the upcoming WNBA Draft on April 13th. The draft order for the expansion selections saw Portland choose first in round one and Toronto in round two.
Australian Talent Pipeline
While Nyadiew Puoch's transition to the WNBA is a recent development, the pathway for Australian players into the league has been steadily opening. In the 2024 WNBA Draft, three Australian women – Nyadiew Puoch, Isobel Borlase, and Jaz Shelley – were selected. Puoch was the highest Australian pick in that class, taken 12th by the Atlanta Dream.
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Kristy Wallace, selected by Toronto, is described as a low-usage, high-IQ guard. Her career statistics indicate a consistent three-point threat, shooting 37.4% from beyond the arc over 92 games. Her per-game averages include 6.1 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.9 assists.
League Context and Roster Implications
The expansion draft itself represents a "league reset moment," potentially disrupting established team dynamics and player rotations across the WNBA. The interplay between assembling new teams and managing the impact on existing franchises highlights the strategic considerations at play. This draft is part of a broader roster-building initiative for the new teams, not their sole method of team formation.
The WNBA season officially begins on May 8th, with the expansion draft preceding it on April 3rd. The WNBA Draft itself is scheduled for April 13th. The new collective bargaining agreement, finalized in late March, provides the operational framework for this expanded league structure.
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