Fire Sign Forward Bridget Carleton
Published on April 11, 2026 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Portland Fire News Release
Portland, OR - The Portland Fire has signed forward Bridget Carleton, the team announced today. Carleton was selected first overall by the Fire during the 2026 WNBA Expansion Draft. Per WNBA Expansion Draft rules, Portland was only allowed to select one "potential unrestricted free agent," using that designation on Carleton.
Carleton brings seven seasons of WNBA experience to Portland, having appeared in 219 career games with 111 starts across stints with the Connecticut Sun and Minnesota Lynx. Over her WNBA career, Carleton has averaged 5.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game, while shooting 39.1 percent from three-point range.
The 6-2 forward most recently played for the Lynx during the 2025 season, appearing in 40 games (24 starts). She previously delivered a breakout season in 2024, averaging 9.6 points, 3.8 rebounds and 1.9 assists in 40 games (34 starts) and finishing third in WNBA Most Improved Player award voting.
Carleton played collegiately at Iowa State, where she earned Associated Press All-America Second Team, WBCA All-American, All-Big 12 First Team, Big 12 Player of the Year, Big 12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player and the Cheryl Miller Award as a senior in 2019. She finished her collegiate career as Iowa State's all-time leading scorer with 2,142 points, while also setting a program record with 372 career three-pointers and becoming the only player in school history to record 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. Carleton also represents Canada internationally as a member of the Canadian Senior National Team, earning All-Star Five honors at the 2022 FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup.
Portland's debut season tips off on May 9, as the Fire host the Chicago Sky at Moda Center. Fans interested in purchasing Fire season ticket memberships can do so. Single game tickets are available.
For more information on Portland Fire's 2026 debut season, please visit theportlandfire.com.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from April 11, 2026
- Dallas Wings Sign Reigning Co-Defensive Player of the Year Alanna Smith - Dallas Wings
- Arike Ogunbowale Re-Signs with the Dallas Wings - Dallas Wings
- Chicago Sky Re-Sign Elizabeth Williams - Chicago Sky
- Chicago Sky Re-Sign Rachel Banham - Chicago Sky
- Golden State Valkyries Re-Sign Guard Veronica Burton to Multi-Year Contract - Golden State Valkyries
- Indiana Fever Bolster Roster with Addition of Forward Monique Billings - Indiana Fever
- New Addition Billings Felt "Wanted and Valued" in Indiana - Indiana Fever
- Portland Fire Signs Guard Karlie Samuelson - Portland Fire
- Awak Kuier Returns to the Dallas Wings - Dallas Wings
- Connecticut Sun Re-Sign Olivia Nelson-Ododa - Connecticut Sun
- Zia Cooke and Mackenzie Holmes Return to the Storm - Seattle Storm
- Atlanta Dream Re-Sign Allisha Gray, Brionna Jones, Jordin Canada, Naz Hillmon and Rhyne Howard - Atlanta Dream
- Fire Sign Forward Bridget Carleton - Portland Fire
- Indiana Fever Re-Sign Guard Lexie Hull - Indiana Fever
- Fever Continue to Reload in Re-Signing Hull - Indiana Fever
- Two-Time Defensive Player of the Year and Ten-Time WNBA All-Star Brittney Griner Signs with the Connecticut Sun - Connecticut Sun
- Dallas Wings Sign Forward Jessica Shepard - Dallas Wings
- Chicago Sky Sign Seven-Time All-Star Skylar Diggins - Chicago Sky
- Natisha Hiedeman Signs with Storm - Seattle Storm
- Indiana Fever Re-Sign Three-Time All-Star Mitchell - Indiana Fever
- Mitchell Is Back as Fever Retain All-Star Core - Indiana Fever
- Washington Mystics Aquire 2028 First-Round Pick - Washington Mystics
- Chicago Sky Acquire Guard Jacy Sheldon - Chicago Sky
- Toronto Tempo Sign Six Players to Training Camp Contracts - Toronto Tempo
- Chicago Sky Sign 2021 WNBA Champion Azurá Stevens - Chicago Sky
- Toronto Tempo Sign Julie Allemand to Multi-Year Contract - Toronto Tempo
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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Portland Fire Stories
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- Portland Fire Signs Center Megan Gustafson
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- Fire Sign Forward Bridget Carleton
