The Portland Fire didn't make it to the WNBA playoffs this season, and the team has already made it clear they're focused on two things: winning more games this season despite that, and focusing on the 2027 season and how they can succeed. The Fire will bring over 2026 WNBA Draft pick Iyana Martin as part of that effort (Martin elected to stay in Spain this season), and her Portland teammate Megan DiLeo will be spending part of the FIBA World Cup talking to Martin about what the team's culture and style of play is all about.
But the Fire will also be drafting new players next season. The team has the No. 5, No. 22, and No. 37 draft picks next year. If we learned anything from the 2026 WNBA Draft, it's that the Fire's front office has no problem doing the unexpected — and they have a great opportunity staring them in the face.
Next year's draft class is objectively stacked. It potentially includes JuJu Watkins (USC), Madison Booker (Texas), Hannah Hidalgo (Notre Dame), S’Mya Nichols (Kansas), Mikaylah Williams (LSU), and MiLaysia Fulwiley (LSU). That's a list of incredibly talented, intimidating players, and there will be no shortage of teams in the WNBA who are hoping to draft them.
Any of those players would bring something powerful to the Fire, but the team is known for doing things a little differently. They're also very open to drafting international players, and, more than anything, they need size. The Fire needs a rebounder who brings size to the team, and they might just find one in China's Ziyu Zhang.
Zhang is 7'3" and fits the bill. Though she's still very much a diamond in the rough, she could be developed — and the right team will know exactly what to do with her. The Fire could bring Zhang over next season and develop her as part of the team's "Get Better Group," which would also give them the opportunity to evaluate her skills in person, and see what she can handle. Zhang scored 20 points and 11 rebounds during China's match against Belgium during the World Cup Qualifying Tournament earlier this year, and her performance at this year's World Cup is likely to offer more of the same.
Plenty of members of the Fire's roster will also see Zhang play in the coming days. The team sent six players to the FIBA World Cup, and they will represent France, Nigeria, Germany, and Spain.
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