WNBA free agency is in full swing, as teams across the league scramble to sign big-name players before preseason training tips off this Sunday.
Expansion side Toronto Tempo is filling in the gaps, picking up former Golden State center Temi Fagbenle on a reported $1 million, one-year deal, while also signing Canadian guard Kia Nurse.
“To have the opportunity to play at home, for Canada’s team, means everything to me,” Nurse said in a team statement.
“This country has supported me throughout my career, and being part of the Tempo as the WNBA comes to Canada is incredibly meaningful. I’m proud to represent Canada, will be proud to wear this jersey, and excited to help build something special here.”
Dallas is making a similar push, signing veteran guards Alysha Clark and guard Odyssey Sims after pairing No. 1 draft pick Azzi Fudd with UConn teammate — and 2025 Rookie of the Year — Paige Bueckers.
WNBA Teams Scout Undrafted Rookies Amid Free Agency Chaos
Undrafted rookies are also making a splash, as teams size up undervalued talent with an eye toward identifying development players.
Oklahoma center Raegan Beers will join Connecticut in training camp, while Richmond forward Maggie Doogan and Indiana guard Shay Ciezki get a shot with Phoenix.
Standing 6-foot-4, Colorado-born Beers began her college career with Oregon State before transferring to Oklahoma, finishing her NCAA run averaging 16.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per game across 129 appearances. Doogan led mid-major Richmond with 21.1 points and 7.9 rebounds per game through the 2025/26 season, while shooting 50.6% from the field, 40.4% from 3-point range, and 89% from the free throw line.
Ciezki capped her senior year averaging 22.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. She additionally shot 52.6% from the field, 44.6% behind the arc, and 90.8% from the free throw line — one of just two players joining the 50-40-90 club last season, alongside Nebraska's Britt Prince.
The NCAA's hottest conference shows no signs of letting up, with the SEC serving college basketball fans two of Thursday's most anticipated top-ranked clashes.
After last week's loss to No. 2 South Carolina and Sunday's low-scoring victory over unranked Texas A&M, No. 7 LSU ready to reclaim their previous firepower by gearing up for an offense-heavy battle with SEC newcomer No. 13 Oklahoma.
The Tigers have only met the Sooners once before, falling in to Oklahoma in a December 2019 matchup. However, head coach Kim Mulkey, who joined LSU in 2021, brings her own experience, tallying a 27-20 record against Oklahoma during her time at Baylor.
Both teams enter Thursday's matchup ranked in the nation's Top 3 for rebounding and Top 6 for scoring, with each having a particular penchant for points in transition.
Between LSU scoring leaders Flau'jae Johnson and Aneesah Morrow — the nation's top rebounder who also leads the country with 19 double-doubles on the season — Oklahoma will need to lean on both defense and Sooner center Reagan Beers to tame the Tigers.
Don't sleep on Kentucky
Joining the Wildcats one year after leading Virginia Tech to their first-ever Final Four in 2023, No. 12 Kentucky head coach Kenny Brooks has taken the once-struggling team to the upper echelons of the SEC table. The Cats are currently in second place alongside LSU and No. 5 Texas, all trailing defending national champs South Carolina.
Much of Kentucky's success rests on star guard — and Virginia Tech transfer — Georgia Amoore, who leads the Wildcats in points, assists, and steals.
The Australian standout will look to defend the Wildcats' undefeated 2024/25 home record — and clinch the program's 500th win at Historic Memorial Coliseum — when No. 22 Alabama visits on Thursday.
How to watch Thursday's Top 25 SEC basketball games
Both of Thursday's ranked SEC matchups tip off at 7 PM ET, when No. 13 Oklahoma takes on No. 7 LSU on ESPN2 while No. 22 Alabama faces No. 12 Kentucky on SECN.