The Portland Fire selected 21-year-old French guard Carla Leite with the No. 3 overall pick in Friday's 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft, giving the franchise a young backcourt piece ahead of its inaugural season.
Leite joins Portland after a steady rookie year with the Golden State Valkyries. Appearing in 37 games, she averaged 7.2 points, 2.0 assists, and 1.3 rebounds per game. According to Golden State, she ended her debut year as one of seven WNBA rookies to post at least 250 points, 40 rebounds, and 70 assists, while shooting 38.7% from the field.
That production came after her initial transition to the US league. The Dallas Wings selected Leite No. 9 overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft, before she subsequently landed with Golden State in the 2025 expansion draft. She carved out a consistent role in the California club's rotation, proving herself as both a solid ball-handler and scoring option.
Leite arrived from France with experience in her home country's top professional league and national team system. Her game resonates via pace and control, able to create off the dribble, operate in the pick-and-roll, and hold her own defensively.
Portland's selection fits its roster-building approach. In a statement, Fire GM Vanja Cernivec said the team prioritized players who "embody effort, selflessness, and a commitment to team success." She added that "each player we select reflects the culture of what we are building."
Leite's selection marks her second straight year being taken in an expansion draft, reflecting both her upside and value as a young WNBA talent.
Portland will open its debut season in May, with Leite in position to compete for significant minutes as the Fire establishes their backcourt rotation.
