The Portland Fire have selected forward Bridget Carleton of Chatham, Ontario first overall in the 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft on Friday. The Fire are Carleton’s third WNBA franchise. She has previously played one season with the Connecticut Sun (2019), and seven seasons with the Minnesota Lynx (2019 to 2025).
In 2025, Carleton averaged 6.5 points per game, 3.6 rebounds per game, and two assists per game. She has a field goal percentage of .402, three point percentage of .373 and a free throw percentage of .720. Over the last decade, Carleton has been a major part of the Canadian National Women’s Basketball program.
The 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft also included the Toronto Tempo. On Friday, the Tempo selected guard Julie Allemand, center Nyara Sabally, guard Marina Mabrey, guard Aaliyah Nye, guard Lexi Held, forward Maria Conde, forward Maria Kilundikova, forward Adja Kane, forward Nikolina Milic, forward Kitija Laksa and guard Kristy Wallace.
The Tempo are the first Canadian team in the WNBA. They will be playing their home games at the Coca-Cola Coliseum. The Tempo will share the arena with the Toronto Marlies of the American Hockey League and the Toronto Sceptres of the Professional Women’s Hockey League. The Sceptres and Marlies are battling for playoff spots in their respective leagues.
