The Toronto Tempo has suspended the contract of starting guard Julie Allemand as she prepares to join the Belgium national team for the upcoming FIBA Women’s World Cup. Allemand’s departure is part of a standard procedure for WNBA players who are called up to international competition, and it is not considered a disciplinary action. She will represent Belgium during the tournament, which begins on September 4 and ends on September 13 in Berlin, Germany.
Allemand has played in 29 games this season and started 27 of them, leading the Tempo in both assists and steals, according to Yardbarker. Her absence leaves a significant gap in the Tempo’s lineup, especially with the team already dealing with multiple injuries. The Tempo’s season has been challenging, with an 11-26 record and a recent 12-game losing streak.
Several key players have been sidelined due to injuries, including Brittney Sykes and Aneesah Morrow. Marina Mabrey and Maria Conde are also out due to adductor and calf issues, respectively. To help fill the void left by Allemand’s departure, the Tempo signed guard Kiana Williams to a seven-day extreme hardship contract.
Williams has played for several WNBA teams including the Seattle Storm and Los Angeles Sparks. She brings experience to a Tempo roster that has struggled with depth in the guard position. The team will also be without Isabelle Harrison, who is facing a $500 penalty for her first technical foul of the season in the recent game against Las Vegas.
Harrison was involved in a heated moment during the game when she pushed an opponent after a foul was called. This is Harrison’s first technical foul of the season, and she will pay a $500 penalty. The Tempo is now preparing to end its inaugural season with a focus on evaluating players and building for the future, according to a report from Yahoo Sports.
The team’s next game is against the Seattle Storm, and they are hoping to finish their season on a positive note. The WNBA will pause its schedule from August 31 through September 17 to accommodate the World Cup, The Sporting News reported. Allemand’s return to the Tempo is expected after the World Cup concludes.
The Tempo’s roster has been affected by a number of absences, and the team is working to maintain competitiveness. Despite their struggles this season, the Tempo is using this time to build toward a stronger future.
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