Wallace and Puoch drafted in WNBA Expansion Draft

NBL1 South stars Kirsty Wallace (Knox Raiders) and Nyadiew Puoch (Dandenong Rangers) have been drafted in the 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft, as the league prepares for the introduction of the Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire.

Wallace was selected by Toronto in the second round, linking up with Australian Opals head coach Sandy Brondello, while Puoch was taken by Portland in the second round, with both players earning opportunities as part of the WNBA’s newest franchises.

Former two-time NBL1 South All-Star Five member Chloe Bibby (most recently Ballarat Miners) was also selected by Portland in the first round.

The Expansion Draft allows incoming teams to build their initial rosters by selecting from a pool of unprotected players across the league. Each of the existing 13 teams were permitted to protect up to five players, with all others made available across two rounds of selections.

For Wallace, a move to Toronto would follow a strong period of team success and consistent individual contribution, having been part of the Knox Raiders' 2025 NBL1 South championship and NBL1 National Finals title-winning campaign.

Across the NBL1 South 2025 seasons  with Knox, Wallace has averaged 10.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists across 15 appearances in 2025, before opening her 2026 campaign with 18 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

A member of the Australian Opals’ Paris 2024 Olympic team, Wallace is currently overseas competing with the Australia Gangurrus 3x3 team.

Puoch’s selection continues her rapid rise through the ranks. Drafted 12th overall by the Atlanta Dream in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Puoch remained in Australia and continued her development with Dandenong during the 2024 NBL1 South season.

The Dandenong forward was recognised as the NBL1 South Youth Player of the Year in 2023 and has continued to build her profile with consistent production at senior level.

In 2025, Puoch averaged 20.6 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game, along with 1.7 steals, across 18 games.
She has carried that form into 2026, averaging 17.0 points, 15.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists, with 2.0 steals per game across her first two appearances.

While the Expansion Draft provides the starting point, both Toronto and Portland will continue shaping their rosters through free agency and the upcoming WNBA Draft on April 13.

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