Nyadiew Puoch and Chloe Bibby have been appointed to the Portland Fire in the WNBA, while fellow Australian player Kristy Wallace will be joining the Toronto Tempo. The Fire and Tempo represent the 14th and 15th franchises in the league, with the Tempo being guided by Opals head coach Sandy Brondello.
The WNBA draft, where teams will select players from collegiate programs and international leagues, is scheduled for April 13, ahead of the season’s opening on May 8.
Nyadiew Puoch, a promising talent, has been recognized for her outstanding performance with the UC Capitals in the WNBL, resulting in her selection by the Portland Fire during the expansion draft. Puoch emerged as a key player for the Capitals last season, averaging 11.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 steals, as her team narrowly missed out on reaching the WNBL finals.
Her most notable highlight came during a thrilling match against the Perth Lynx in January, where she clinched a dramatic win with a half-court buzzer-beater, securing a 77-74 victory for her team.
Chosen 16th overall in the draft, Puoch’s inclusion in Portland’s 12-member roster marks another significant milestone in her career. Despite being drafted by the Atlanta Dream earlier for the 2024 season, she opted to further hone her skills in the Australian league before embarking on her rookie season.
“If you had told me three years ago that I would be here, I would have found it hard to believe,” Puoch remarked. “I just go out there, enjoy playing basketball, and these opportunities have come my way. Being part of a new expansion team in the WNBA is incredibly exciting for me.”
In addition to Puoch, Chloe Bibby, another Australian player, was selected by the Fire as the 11th pick. Bibby previously played for the Indiana Fever and the Golden State Valkyries last season.
“Having someone like Chloe on the team makes it feel less intimidating, especially since she’s experienced the dynamics of another expansion team,” Puoch added. “She’s an exceptional player and an even better person, so I’m thrilled to have her around. There are also two other Australians in the club.”
Sandy Brondello, a two-time WNBA champion coach from Australia, is leading the Toronto Tempo and has chosen Kristy Wallace, a bronze medalist with the Opals, as the 21st pick from the Fever.
The addition of the Fire and Tempo marks a new chapter for the league, allowing both teams to select players from current rosters, with existing teams permitted to protect up to five players from being selected in the expansion draft. The full rosters for the teams will be finalized during the WNBA Draft on April 13.
Puoch, Bibby, and Wallace will join numerous other Australian talents in the league, which kicks off on May 8, following the conclusion of negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players’ union on March 24. This agreement will implement a new revenue-sharing model, raise the salary cap to $7 million from $1.5 million, and increase maximum one-year salaries to $1.4 million.
