The Toronto Tempo have officially begun to build their team, selecting Belgian guard Julie Allemand with their first pick in the WNBA expansion draft on Friday as the franchise prepares for its inaugural season in 2026.
Allemand, who played last season for the Los Angeles Sparks, averaged 5.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 5 assists in 34 games. The selection marks a pivotal moment for Canada's first WNBA team, which is shaping its identity ahead of its league debut.
The Tempo participated in the expansion draft alongside the Portland Fire, the league's other new franchise. After winning a coin flip, Toronto's management made a strategic decision, opting to take the sixth pick in the upcoming college draft on April 13 instead of the first overall pick in the expansion draft. This allowed Portland to select first, choosing veteran Canadian forward Bridget Carleton from the Minnesota Lynx.
Toronto general manager Monica Wright Rogers expressed confidence in the group of players selected, emphasizing their ability to be competitive from the start while also building for the future.
A flurry of picks
The expansion draft consisted of two rounds, with the Tempo and Fire alternating selections. Following the choice of Allemand, Toronto went on to make 10 more picks, assembling a roster with a mix of experience and potential from across the league.
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.
In the first round, the Tempo also selected centre Nyara Sabally from the New York Liberty, guard Marina Mabrey from the Connecticut Sun, forward Aaliya Nye from the Las Vegas Aces, guard Lexi Held from the Phoenix Mercury, and forward Maria Conde from the expansion-sibling Dallas Valkyries.
The team continued to build its roster in the second round, picking first and selecting forward Maria Kliundikova from the Minnesota Lynx, centre Adja Kane from the New York Liberty, centre Nikolina Milic from the Connecticut Sun, guard Kitija Laksa from the Phoenix Mercury, and guard Kristy Wallace from the Indiana Fever.
Each existing WNBA team was allowed to protect five players on its roster. If a team lost a player in the first round of the expansion draft, a second player could not be selected from the same team until the second round. Mabrey was one of the few unrestricted free agents available in the draft, with each expansion team permitted to select only one.
Building a ‘world-class team’
The draft selections are the latest step in a busy period for the franchise, which is owned by Kilmer Sports Ventures, chaired by Larry Tanenbaum. Recently, Raptors president Masai Ujiri also joined the team's ownership group, further strengthening its ties to Toronto's basketball scene. In news from Australia, the Canberra to Sydney rail upgrade is considered a top national priority.
Earlier in the week, the Tempo announced its full basketball operations staff, signalling a commitment to creating an "athlete-first environment designed for sustained success." The appointments include two-time WNBA champion Sandy Brondello as head coach, supported by a deep coaching and performance team.
The organization has emphasized a holistic and data-driven approach. The front office includes Eli Horowitz as assistant general manager and senior vice president of basketball strategy. The health and performance department, led by Dr. Adam Decker, brings together a multidisciplinary team of trainers, therapists, and conditioning coaches.
“The foundation of a world-class team is the environment you create every day,” Wright Rogers said in a statement. “We've been incredibly intentional about assembling a group of leaders who understand that excellence doesn't happen in silos. From strategy to coaching to health and performance, this team is aligned around creating the best possible conditions for athletes to thrive."
Looking ahead to the inaugural season
Before the expansion draft, the Tempo made their first-ever trade, acquiring the 26th overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft from the Chicago Sky. In exchange, the Tempo agreed not to select any of Chicago's unprotected players. This gives Toronto picks 6, 22, 26, and 36 in the upcoming college draft.
The WNBA is entering a period of significant growth, with the Tempo and Fire becoming the league's 14th and 15th teams. The expansion has created a dynamic player market, with more than 80% of the league's players becoming free agents this year after opting out of the previous collective bargaining agreement. The start date for the free agency period has not yet been announced.
The next major date for the Tempo is the WNBA Draft on April 13, where they will add more young talent to their foundational roster. Following the draft, training camps are set to open on April 19.
Toronto's inaugural season will begin on May 8, with home games to be played at Coca-Cola Coliseum. The team is the first WNBA franchise to be based outside of the United States, expanding the league's international footprint. More information can be found on the league's official site, the WNBA.
