The Toronto Tempo made some important signings in the expansion draft, as well as in free agency, to make a strong team for their inaugural season. Though the side might not win a championship, they would look to make it to the playoffs and match the Valkyries’ record set last season. At the heart of the Tempo offense is Marina Mabrey, who demanded a trade from The Sun last season and got a chance in the 2026 season.
Interestingly, the northern franchise also added Dara Mabrey, Marina’s sister, to the lineup, making it a more familiar environment for the veteran guard. The 29-year-old, though, had a funny reaction to her sister’s addition.
Marina Mabrey Gives Funny Reaction to Sister Dara’s Addition To Toronto Team
The former Notre Dame guard is one of the building blocks for the expansion team, signing a multi-year contract with the side. While she is looking to have an impact on the side with her offensive game and aggression on the floor, the player was happy to hear about her sister joining in.
When reporters asked her about the TikTok videos they share, Marbrey said, “We used to get into near fist fights.” Showing her sisterly love for Dara.
Marina Mabrey describes how she felt when her sister Dara Mabrey was signed to the Toronto Tempo’s training camp roster:
— chelsea leite (@chelsealeite) April 19, 2026
“We used to get into near fist fights” 😂😭 pic.twitter.com/1VGbQoeRbG
She also mentioned that when her agent told her about Dara’s signing, she was excited and wanted to scream, but acted professional and gave a casual ‘ok’ to the news.
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Even though Dara didn’t make it to the WNBA, she played overseas most of the time and was a regular in the WNBL. Along with Marina, she led the high school team to its major achievement. At Tempo, though, the elder sister has a lot of responsibility on her shoulders.
Marina Mabrey To Set Tempo In Toronto Franchise
Even though the Toronto Tempo built most of its roster via the expansion draft, the former Sun guard is positioned as the primary offensive engine and veteran leader for the Toronto Tempo’s 2026 inaugural season. She provides the expansion franchise with a proven “big-shot” maker and a competitive edge in the backcourt.
Her ability to create her own shot and facilitate for others makes her the perfect focal point for an offense that must find its rhythm quickly. To support Mabrey, the Tempo aggressively built a deep roster during the 2026 offseason. They paired her in the backcourt with fellow max-contract star Brittney Sykes and added Canadian standout Kia Nurse to bolster the wing.
Kia Nurse will be signing with the Toronto Tempo, per @chelsealeite 🇨🇦 pic.twitter.com/cGlP69fKcE
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) April 14, 2026
The team also secured veteran presence in the paint by signing Temi Fagbenle and Isabelle Harrison. Through the expansion draft and college draft, the team brought in versatile talents like Kiki Rice and Nyara Sabally, creating a balanced mix of youth and experience. Within this framework, Mabrey’s role is to serve as the elite floor spacer and vocal leader who establishes the competitive culture for Toronto’s first year in the league.