As the first stage of training camp winds down and preseason WNBA games begin, the Toronto Tempo are steadily preparing to make their official debut in the league. While many teams kicked off their exhibition games on Saturday, the Tempo won\u2019t take the court until Wednesday. Those extra days are not being taken for granted, as the franchise finds its footing and continues building culture.<\/p>\n
Inevitably, roster cuts will have to start happening, though. Toronto doesn\u2019t even have all of its players at camp yet, as Julie Allemand<\/a>, Maria Conde<\/a> and Nina Milic are finishing their overseas seasons. Decisions will start to be made with little time to see the whole roster together, but that\u2019s the normal process in this league.<\/p>\n The twist this year, though, is the fact that each WNBA team now has two developmental spots to fill on top of the 12 regular roster spots. That adds another layer of decision-making to this process, as teams need to evaluate who they can bring on in those roles.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you put a team together, you just want to make sure the puzzle fits,\u201d Brondello said in a recent training camp media availability. \u201cDo we have enough playmaking, do we have enough rebounding, toughness, shooting? Figuring out how they all work together. Every year it gets harder and harder.\u201d<\/p>\n As an influx of talent continues to stream into the WNBA not just from the NCAA, but also from all over the world as the league globalizes, these decisions have only gotten tougher.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ll just be really thoughtful these next few days, lean into that preseason game \u2026 and we\u2019ll build from there,\u201d Brondello added.<\/p>\n Someone the Tempo may be considering for either a final roster spot or a developmental spot is Dara Mabrey<\/a>. The youngest Mabrey sister is going through her first WNBA training camp after going undrafted a few seasons ago, with her sister Marina by her side. The two are competitive in practice with each other, bantering and pushing each other\u2019s buttons \u2014 but all from a place of love and support, Brondello noted. Described as \u201ctough\u201d by head coach Sandy Brondello<\/a>, Dara has been showing out in camp, bringing her confident personality to the mix. She\u2019s certainly a fan favorite to stick around the team.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen you\u2019re coming in here, you have to come with confidence, and she has that, especially offensively,\u201d Brondello said in praise of Dara. \u201cShe\u2019s made some really big shots\u2026 I\u2019ve been happy with how she\u2019s played.\u201d<\/p>\n Listen now to The IX Sports Podcast and Women\u2019s Sports Daily Nyara Sabally<\/a> is one player who does not have to worry about being cut from the roster, as her contract is one of a handful that are guaranteed. Sabally was chosen in the expansion draft from Brondello\u2019s former team, the New York Liberty, and is apparently the healthiest she\u2019s been since entering the WNBA.<\/p>\n Brondello is excited for her to have a bigger role in Toronto than she had in New York. Famous among Brooklyn fans for her performance in the 2024 WNBA Finals, which ultimately led to the Liberty\u2019s first championship, Sabally has had to play behind players like Breanna Stewart<\/a> and Jonquel Jones<\/a>. Now, she will get more freedom to carve out a bigger role for herself here.<\/p>\n \u201cNyara has learned how to be a pro [from Stewart and Jones],\u201d Brondello said. \u201cThat\u2019s why we are really excited for this opportunity for her here, to have a bigger role. She feels healthy, and you see her being a veteran leader out there, having played with both Olaf and me.\u201d<\/p>\n Another theme of Toronto\u2019s camp has been the emphasis on both defensive energy and shooting. Every player has commented at some point about wanting to be known as a team for their defensive energy, and knowing that that effort will help them have more offensive power. They also have plenty of shooters on the team \u2014 Marina Mabrey<\/a>, of course, but Aaliyah Nye<\/a>, Kia Nurse<\/a>, Kiki Rice<\/a> and Dara Mabrey have been a few other players making big shots in training camp.<\/p>\n Order \u2018Rare Gems\u2019 and save 30% If you enjoy Megdal\u2019s coverage of women\u2019s basketball every Wednesday at The IX Sports, you will love \u201cRare Gems: How Four Generations of Women Paved the Way for the WNBA.\u201d Click the link below to order<\/a> and enter MEGDAL30 at checkout to save 30%!<\/p>\n We\u2019re still at the point in the process where there are more questions than answers with this roster, but Brondello urges patience. It will take time (even into the regular season) for things to fully settle, for the roster to solidify, and for people to get used to the systems being put in place.<\/p>\n
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Howard Megdal, founder and editor of The IX Basketball and The IX Sports, wrote this deeply reported book. \u201cRare Gems\u201d follows four connected generations of women\u2019s basketball pioneers, from Elvera \u201cPeps\u201d Neuman to Cheryl Reeve and from Lindsay Whalen to Sylvia Fowles and Paige Bueckers.<\/p>\n