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17 April 2026  6 min read

Temi Fágbénlé: Experience, energy and a new chapter with Toronto Tempo

A new city. A new franchise. And another opportunity to help build something from the ground up.

Having officially signed with the Toronto Tempo on a landmark one-year, million-dollar deal, Fágbénlé approaches the move with a sense of gratitude — but also with the calm confidence of someone who has seen and done it all before.

"I feel very blessed to have landed such a great opportunity," she says. "I think it’s a great next step for me and I feel ready to take this challenge. I’m very happy to have signed the deal and looking forward to getting this show on the road."

What makes this move particularly compelling is the context surrounding it.

This will be Fágbénlé’s second consecutive season with a WNBA expansion franchise, following her standout campaign with the Golden State Valkyries.

That experience — navigating the unknown, helping shape culture, and embracing the energy of something brand new — is one she now carries with her into Toronto.

"I hope the experience I had with the Valkyries last year can be helpful for both Toronto and myself heading into this season," she explains.

"It being the first expansion team in ‘modern’ history was very exciting — everything was new, everything was history-making — and this season will have a similar energy."

 

 

 

 

 

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Managing energy, individually and collectively

Expansion teams bring a unique kind of challenge — one that goes beyond basketball.

"It takes a lot of energy from everybody concerned because of how new and exciting everything is," she adds. "So I’m glad I’ve been through it last year and have that insight of what to expect."

If last season was about discovery, this one is about refinement.

Fágbénlé speaks candidly about one of the biggest lessons she took from that first expansion experience — the importance of managing energy, both individually and collectively.

"I think a lesson I’ve learned is focusing on how I can be a little bit smarter about how I delegate my energy," she says. "And how I can help my teammates do the same."

In an environment where everything feels significant — from the first practice to the first game, to the first win — it’s easy for players and staff alike to become overwhelmed by the magnitude of the moment.

"Everybody is excited," she continues. "But you have to make sure you can pour from a full cup — or at least a cup with something in it — when it comes to game time."

While the basketball side of things is still taking shape, one thing that has already made an impression on Fágbénlé is the city she will now call home.

"The energy is palpable in the city," she says. "Everybody is new to the team, everybody has a new job, so everybody wants to do the best they can."

It’s not her first time in Toronto. She previously visited for the Toronto International Film Festival, where the Giants of Africa Documentary was being screened — an experience that gave her an early glimpse into the culture of the city.

"I had a nice little adventure around the city and got a little sense of the vibe there, which I really enjoyed," she says. "But I’m excited to live it day to day and experience that culture."

Now, instead of passing through, she’ll be part of something much deeper — helping establish a franchise in one of the world’s most vibrant basketball markets.

 

 

 

 

 

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Achieve something great for Toronto

On the court, Fágbénlé is equally optimistic about what lies ahead.

"We’ve put together a talented roster and I’m excited to work with the coaching staff," she says.

"They’ve experienced and been through a lot in their careers and worked with incredible players."

For a player who has competed at the highest levels — from the WNBA to the Olympics — the opportunity to continue learning remains a key motivator.

"I’m looking forward to learning from them and growing with them as we build this franchise in our first year together," she adds. "And hopefully achieve something great for this city."

That balance between ambition and patience is crucial. Expansion teams are rarely built overnight, but with experienced leaders like Fágbénlé at their core, the foundation becomes far stronger.

Beyond her own journey, Fágbénlé remains deeply connected to the wider growth of British basketball — particularly the increasing presence of British players in the WNBA.

"It’s so wonderful to see British talent in the W consistently," she says.

She highlights fellow internationals including Karlie Samuelson and Holly Winterburn, both of whom are pursuing their own opportunities in the league.

"I was starting to feel a little lonely towards the end of last year!" she jokes. "To see Karlie back is amazing — the perseverance she’s shown to come back from her injury and make a team is so commendable."

And for Winterburn, currently competing for a place with the Atlanta Dream, Fágbénlé’s pride is clear.

"For Holly to be vying for a spot, I’m just so proud. Basketball is not an easy career and it says a lot about both of them that they can keep persevering as they have done."

It’s a reminder that while her journey is individual, it is also part of something much bigger — a growing pipeline of British talent making its mark on the global stage.

For Fágbénlé, this move to Toronto represents more than just another contract or another season.

It’s a continuation of a career defined by resilience, leadership and a willingness to embrace new challenges.

Armed with the experience of building from the ground up, anchored by perspective, and driven by ambition, she arrives in Toronto not just to play — but to help shape something meaningful.

And as another new chapter begins, one thing feels certain: wherever she goes, success — and impact — tend to follow.

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Words: Jamie Thomas