After a quiet start, the Toronto Tempo have been on an offseason signing spree, building out their backcourt through the draft and free agency. Now, they’ve turned their attention to the front court, landing a former Indiana Fever star to serve as their primary rim protector.

Until now, the Tempo’s depth chart was very guard-heavy with Sykes, Kiki Rice, and Mabrey. They had forwards Nyara Sabally and Aaliyah Nye but not a proven enforcer at the rim. And Sandy Brondello needs an elite front court, as her duo of Breanna Stewart and Jonquel Jones was one of the best in the league when she was at Liberty. To fill this need, the Toronto Tempo has signed Temi Fagbenle as a free agent, the team announced. 

“Temi brings consistency and toughness to everything she does,” said Monica Wright Rogers, the General Manager of Toronto Tempo. “She plays the game the right way—defending, rebounding, finishing around the rim and doing the work that impacts winning. Her experience anchoring the paint as a starter and her ability to contribute on both ends make her an important addition as we continue to shape our identity.”

According to Richard Cohen, Fagbenle has signed a one-year, protected deal worth $1 million. Fagbenle already knows what it takes to build an expansion team. She started 38 of 39 games for the Golden State Valkyries last season and averaged 7.4 points, 4.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game, while shooting over 50 percent from the field. 

Before the Valkyries, she was a key part in the Indiana Fever’s 2024 playoff run, averaging 6.4 points and 4.7 rebounds from the bench. Last year, she was also part of the two most successful lineups with the Valkyries under Natalie Nakase as one of the best defenders (defensive rating 97.7). At 6’4″, she adds significant size alongside Sabally, giving them more flexibility. 

“I’m excited for this next chapter with the Toronto Tempo,” said Fagbenle. “The opportunity to be part of a new franchise with a clear vision and competitive mindset really stood out to me. I’m looking forward to helping build something special here.”

However, Fagbenle will need to step up on the offensive end of the floor. Sandy Brondello’s teams have played fast-paced basketball, unlike what she played at Golden State. They were the slowest team in the league with 91.55 possessions per game, while Liberty was fourth with 95.75. There will be an adaptation phase but she can help elevate this Tempo side that is set to be free-scoring. Along with Fagbenle, the Toronto Tempo has also added depth in their guard position by adding Kia Nurse. 

Toronto Tempo Add Local Flavor With The Signing Of Kia Nurse

For a new team, creating a fanbase is probably one of the hardest things to do. The Valkyries were a hit right away, largely because of the immense popularity of women’s basketball in the Bay Area and the connection to the Warriors. They were the most attended team in the WNBA in their first year. 

Toronto Tempo doesn’t have that advantage but their latest signing will help garner local support. The Tempo has signed Hamilton, Ontario native Kia Nurse. She played for the Chicago Sky last year, averaging 7.2 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game, while shooting 33.5% from three-point range. Nurse adds more experience to this roster and valuable depth to this team. 

“Kia represents everything this franchise stands for,” said Wright Rogers. “She’s a world-class athlete, a proven professional, and someone who has helped grow the game in Canada at every level. Having a Canadian player of her stature join Canada’s first WNBA team is incredibly special, and it reinforces our commitment to building a team the entire country can rally behind.”

Nurse has represented the country at the international level for more than a decade, playing a key part in their fourth-place finish at the 2022 World Cup. Slowly but surely, the Tempo has built a roster to be reckoned with. The Valkyries have set some high standards for expansion teams. And with the advantage of a vast free agency, the Tempo is well positioned to replicate that this coming season.