As the Toronto Tempo prepares for its WNBA debut on May 8, against the Washington Mystics, head coach Sandy Brondello emphasized the use of male practice players to help simulate high-intensity game situations.

In a post shared by WNBA reporter Chelsea Leite on X, the head coach explained how male practice players were selected through April 17 tryouts and how they help prepare the team.

When asked about the selected practice players and how they’re used, Brondello explained the process, saying, "We did a tryout on April 17th. We had some players in earlier with some of the players we were working on and evaluating them to help us get to where we want to go."

She continued, “It’s nice to not go against each other all the time, especially with the fatigue element. There’s a time where we want that,” said the 57-year-old head coach, detailing the benefit of using practice players.

She also shared more about how the group was selected, and said, "Sadie Edwards, she's in control of that with Justina King. And we were there watching, and they chose the team, and they communicated with them."

Speaking about their impact, she said, "They've been really good. I mean, the commitment for them to come and support us, it means a lot. They're going to help us get to where we want to go."

While the names of the male practice players haven’t been revealed yet, the Toronto Tempo roster already features young talent like Marina Mabrey, Nikolina Milic, Maria Conde, Kristy Wallace, Aaliyah Nye, Julie Allemand, Maria Kliundikova, Adja Kane, Nyara Sabally, Lexi Held, and Kitija Laksa.

So with that mix of talent and preparation, the team is expected to start strong, especially with Brondello aiming to make a big impact in their debut season.

Why Sandy Brondello Chose the Toronto Tempo Over Other Established WNBA Franchises?

Two-time championship-winning coach Sandy Brondello entered free agency last year after being fired by the New York Liberty in September, less than a year after leading them to their first title. Once she became available, several teams quickly showed interest.

The Dallas Wings were among the first to act, parting ways with head coach Chris Koclanes shortly after Brondello hit the market. In the end, the Wings, Seattle Storm, and Toronto Tempo were the three teams that made her offers.

Ultimately, like any top free agent, Sandy Brondello had to decide what mattered most, whether it was location, money, or the right fit with a chance to win.

She ultimately chose the last option, turning down a more lucrative offer to join Toronto because of the strong connection she felt with the front office.

“This is the place I wanted to be,” Brondello said. “To build a team from the ground up, that really excited me.”

With that, she is now reportedly on a multi-year deal worth seven figures annually, placing her among the highest-paid coaches in the league alongside Nate Tibbetts and Becky Hammon.

Having said that, do you think Sandy Brondello’s use of practice players will give the Toronto Tempo an edge in their debut season?

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Written by

Sauramita Debbarma

Edited by

Souvik Roy