This season marked the introduction of two new WNBA expansion teams: the Portland Fire and the Toronto Tempo. Although Portland is a fresh addition, WNBA basketball isn’t unfamiliar to the city, as this is the league’s first return to Portland since 2002. Presently, the Fire hold an 11-18 record. Even though they sit below .500 and occupy tenth place, they remain contenders for a playoff spot, likely aiming for the eighth seed.
The team’s players have generated a lot of optimism about the franchise’s future. Megan DiLeo (formerly Gustafson, after her recent marriage) stands out as a key figure in this latest Fire era, averaging 12.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game while starting in 18 of the 29 games so far. On July 11, DiLeo hit an important career milestone by surpassing 1,000 career points during a road win against the Atlanta Dream.
DiLeo’s achievement is particularly noteworthy given the obstacles she has faced in her WNBA journey. Initially a standout at Iowa, where she earned National Player of the Year honors, scored over 1,000 points in her senior year, and led her team to the Elite Eight, her jersey now hangs in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. After being drafted by the Dallas Wings in 2019, her transition to the pros was not immediate or smooth.
During her rookie year with Dallas, DiLeo averaged 2.9 points and 2.5 rebounds over 25 games, followed by a dip to 1.6 points and 1.2 rebounds in just nine games the next season. She then spent part of 2021 with the Washington Mystics, appearing in only 11 games and averaging 4.0 points and 3.6 rebounds. Throughout her first three seasons, she was often signed and waived, struggling to find consistent playing time or a stable role.
Her fortunes began to improve after signing with the Phoenix Mercury in 2022. DiLeo played with Phoenix for two seasons, experiencing her first playoff run and scoring 12 points with 4 rebounds in her WNBA postseason debut against the Las Vegas Aces. In 2023, she averaged 7.9 points and 3.9 rebounds over 15.1 minutes per game, marking the first time she averaged double-digit minutes in a season. She also recorded 14 games scoring in double digits—nearly triple her total from the previous four years combined.
Before the 2024 season, DiLeo signed with the Las Vegas Aces, playing two seasons there. That year, she averaged 3.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 10.7 minutes per game and notched her first 20-point game. The next season was hindered by injuries, limiting her to 20 regular-season games with averages of 3.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 11.3 minutes per game. Nevertheless, she contributed significant minutes in the playoffs, helping the Aces secure their first WNBA championship.
Her time with Phoenix and Las Vegas gave DiLeo more playing time and exposure to high-stakes games, showcasing her ability to perform alongside premier big players like Brittney Griner and A’ja Wilson. After the Aces’ championship win in 2025 and amid offseason uncertainty caused by CBA negotiations, DiLeo opted to join Portland’s fresh franchise.
This season with the Fire, DiLeo has scored at least 20 points in four games, a number far exceeding the single 20-point performance she had previously in her career. She’s also impressively shooting 38.6% from beyond the arc. Initially known for her finesse and scoring near the basket, DiLeo has enhanced her game by developing a reliable three-point shot—something she began during her tenure with Phoenix. Remarkably, during her entire four-year college career, she only attempted two three-pointers, but now she is a versatile “stretch big” who scores both inside and from distance.
DiLeo is one of the few seasoned veterans on a relatively young and inexperienced Fire roster. Alongside her, Bridget Carleton and Karlie Samuelson each bring at least five years of WNBA experience. The team also boasts promising newcomers like Carla Leite, Sarah Ashlee Barker, and Serah Williams, who have already made notable contributions.
Portland aims to replicate what the Golden State Valkyries achieved last season by making the playoffs as a debut expansion team. This would mark the first playoff berth in the history of the Portland Fire, who missed the postseason in their original run from 2000 to 2002. The team is driven by a collective determination to represent Portland and demonstrate that a group of so-called “overlooked players,” as DiLeo described them, can quickly become a playoff contender.
Reflecting on her experience, DiLeo expressed gratitude for the Fire organization, saying after a May 30 win over the Indiana Fever, “I’m thankful for this team, this organization. They really believe in me.”
In their first year back, the Fire have laid the groundwork for future success, with DiLeo blossoming into a vital player the city can rally behind.
Stats are current as of August 1, unless noted otherwise, courtesy of WNBA.com.
Fan Take: Megan DiLeo’s journey highlights the resilience and growth that many WNBA players embody, offering inspiration to fans and aspiring athletes alike. Her emergence as a key leader on an expansion team like Portland underscores the increasing depth and competitiveness of the league, signaling exciting times ahead for the WNBA’s growth and fan engagement.
Source: winsidr.com
