Toronto Tempo sign 14.3 PPG French star to first WNBA contract originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Toronto Tempo have signed one of the best players in Europe to a free agent contract, a move that no one necessarily saw coming that could prove pivotal in the expansion team’s first season.
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The new player is French guard Tima Pouye, with the move officially announced by the Tempo on Thursday afternoon, coupled with the waiving of Lexi Held.
Pouye just completed her season in Europe with Bourges Basket, which made it to the French league finals while also competing in the EuroLeague.
Statistically, Pouye is an extremely exciting player. At the top-tier level played in the EuroLeague, she averaged 14.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 39.1% from 3-point range and 91.2% from the foul line.
“I’m really excited for this next step and grateful for the opportunity to join Toronto,” Pouye said in a press release put out by the Tempo. “Competing in EuroLeague and playing deep into the French playoffs helped me grow my game, and I’m looking forward to continuing to do so during this new chapter with the Tempo and the WNBA.”
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Pouye is a high-quality rebounder for a guard with great shooting touch, and she’ll join a star-studded backcourt that already includes Marina Mabrey and Brittney Sykes.
It’s not clear how immediately Pouye will get on the floor, or what her minutes will look like, but it’s obvious that she’s bringing serious talent to the WNBA.
“Tima is a proven scorer who has performed in high-pressure environments at both the domestic and international levels,” Tempo GM Monica Wright Rogers said in the press release. “Her ability to stretch the floor, rebound from the guard position, and compete defensively stood out, and we’re excited to add that versatility and experience to our backcourt.”
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Pouye was eligible to be signed because she had never been drafted during her draft-eligible window, and the Tempo took advantage.
