The recent WNBA Expansion Draft showcased a significant presence of international talent, with 14 of the 22 selected players (over 63%) hailing from countries outside the United States. These athletes represent ten different nations: Australia, Belgium, Germany, Spain, Russia, France, Latvia, Canada, Croatia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
A notable selection saw Carla Leite, currently playing for Saragosse and associated with the Golden State Valkyries, chosen by the Portland Fire. Leite was picked as the 3rd overall selection and Portland’s second choice in the draft. Meanwhile, Adja Kane, formerly of Landerneau and listed with the New York Liberty in 2025 (though she didn’t play), found her new team with the Toronto Tempo. She joins fellow international stars like Belgium’s Julie Allemand and Germany’s Nyara Sabally on the Toronto roster.
Toronto Tempo Roster
| Player | Position | Previous Team |
|---|---|---|
|
Julie Allemand
|
Guard
|
Los Angeles Sparks
|
|
Nyara Sabally
|
Center
|
New York Liberty
|
|
Marina Mabrey
|
Guard/Forward
|
Connecticut Sun
|
|
Aaliyah Nye
|
Guard/Forward
|
Las Vegas Aces
|
|
Lexi Held
|
Guard
|
Phoenix Mercury
|
|
María Conde
|
Forward
|
Golden State Valkyries
|
|
Maria Kliundikova
|
Forward/Center
|
Minnesota Lynx
|
|
Adja Kane
|
Forward
|
New York Liberty
|
|
Nikolina Milić
|
Forward/Center
|
Connecticut Sun
|
|
Kitija Laksa
|
Guard/Forward
|
Phoenix Mercury
|
|
Kristy Wallace
|
Guard/Forward
|
Indiana Fever
|
Portland Fire Roster
| Player | Position | Previous Team |
|---|---|---|
|
Bridget Carleton
|
Guard/Forward
|
Minnesota Lynx
|
|
Carla Leite
|
Guard
|
Golden State Valkyries
|
|
Luisa Geiselsöder
|
Forward/Center
|
Dallas Wings
|
|
Emily Engstler
|
Forward
|
Washington Mystics
|
|
Maya Caldwell
|
Guard/Forward
|
Atlanta Dream
|
|
Chloe Bibby
|
Forward
|
Indiana Fever
|
|
Haley Jones
|
Guard/Forward
|
Dallas Wings
|
|
Nyadiew Puoch
|
Guard/Forward
|
Atlanta Dream
|
|
Sarah Ashlee Barker
|
Guard/Forward
|
Los Angeles Sparks
|
|
Sug Sutton
|
Guard/Forward
|
Washington Mystics
|
|
Nika Mühl
|
Guard
|
Seattle Storm
|
