WNBA Champion Nyara Sabally Selected by Toronto Tempo in Expansion Draft as Liberty Lose Key Reserve

New York Liberty have lost a crucial piece of their championship puzzle as forward Nyara Sabally was selected by the Toronto Tempo in the first round of the WNBA expansion draft, reuniting the Finals hero with former coach Sandy Brondello who guided the Liberty to their historic title triumph.

Sabally departure represents a bittersweet moment for Liberty fans who watched her deliver clutch performances during the franchise most important games. Her selection with the fourth overall pick demonstrates how expansion teams prioritize players with championship experience and playoff pedigree when building new rosters.

The reunion with Brondello creates compelling storylines as the coach returns to work with a player who exemplified her system philosophy during critical moments. Brondello intimate knowledge of Sabally capabilities and character made her an obvious target when Toronto received their expansion draft opportunity.

Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb expressed the organization emotional response to losing a beloved teammate whose impact extended beyond statistical contributions. Saying goodbye to Nyara is extremely difficult, especially knowing the impact she has had within our organization and the lasting legacy she leaves with this franchise, Kolb stated in his farewell message.

From the moment she arrived in 2022, Nyara brought professionalism, humility, and a true team-first mindset, quickly becoming a valued part of our locker room and Liberty family, Kolb continued, highlighting the personal qualities that made Sabally such a treasured teammate throughout her three-year tenure in New York.

Sabally selection reflects strategic thinking by Toronto management, who prioritized championship experience over pure statistical production when evaluating available talent. Her Finals performance against Minnesota showcased exactly the type of clutch gene that championship organizations seek in their foundational players.

The timing of her biggest career moment could not have been more perfect for Liberty championship aspirations. With star players struggling during the decisive Game 5 against Minnesota, Brondello turned to Sabally off the bench, trusting her reserve forward to deliver in the franchise most pressure-packed situation.

Sabally responded with 13 points in just 17 minutes during the overtime victory that delivered Liberty their first WNBA championship in franchise history. Her breakaway steal that led to a crucial layup with three minutes remaining in overtime stretched New York lead to five points and essentially secured the title.

That iconic play will forever be etched in Liberty lore and Barclays Center memory, guaranteeing that Sabally June 3rd return to Brooklyn will feature emotional tribute videos celebrating her championship contributions. The crowd reaction to those highlights will provide fitting recognition for her lasting impact.

Her performance in Game 5 of the 2024 WNBA Finals will forever be part of Liberty history and was pivotal in delivering our first championship, Kolb acknowledged, ensuring that Sabally legacy remains permanently connected to the franchise breakthrough moment regardless of her new professional home.

Toronto also utilized their second-round selection to acquire French center Adja Kane, adding another young player with development potential. Kane, a stashed prospect who never played for Liberty after being selected 38th overall in 2025, provides frontcourt depth for the expansion franchise.

The expansion draft featured 22 total selections between Toronto Tempo and Portland Fire, with each franchise building rosters through strategic choices from unprotected players across the league established teams. Each existing franchise could protect only five players from selection.

Notably absent from Liberty protected list, Sabally availability reflected the difficult roster construction decisions that championship teams face when trying to retain talent while managing salary cap constraints and roster limitations that govern professional sports.

Portland Fire opened the draft by selecting Bridget Carleton from Minnesota with the first overall pick, establishing the tone for an event that redistributed talent while maintaining competitive balance across the expanding league.

Sabally transition to Toronto provides opportunity for expanded role and increased responsibility as she joins a franchise building championship culture from scratch rather than maintaining existing success. Her proven ability to perform under pressure makes her ideal for helping establish winning standards in a new market.