In a landmark move for Canadian basketball, the Toronto Tempo have appointed Monica Wright Rogers as their inaugural general manager. A two-time WNBA champion and former assistant GM of the Phoenix Mercury, Wright Rogers brings a wealth of experience to the expansion franchise.

Her appointment marks a new chapter for the Tempo while also showcasing her remarkable journey from standout collegiate player to respected basketball executive. As the team gears up for its debut season, all eyes are on Wright Rogers to shape its future. Here’s everything you need to know about the team’s first GM.

Monica Wright Rogers through schools

Monica Wright Rogers’ basketball journey began in San Antonio, Texas, where she was born on July 15, 1988, to Garry and Lynette Wright. But only when the family moved to Woodbridge, Virginia, did she find her stride.

At Forest Park High School, Rogers came to be one of the nation’s top prospects. A dynamic guard with an all-around skill set, Wright dominated the high school circuit, averaging 22.6 points, 9.0 rebounds, 6.8 assists, and 4.0 steals per game. She’d later be named Gatorade Virginia Player of the Year, ranked no. 2 guard and no. 11 overall player in the country, and earn MVP honors. In 2006, she carried that momentum to the University of Virginia.

“That’s the main reason why all of us went to UVA, because it was evident that she would do anything for you to succeed. She wanted you to succeed deep in her heart, and it was genuine,” Wright had said speaking about head coach Debbie Ryan. And before graduating in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology, Wright offered the HC a career run to be proud of.

As a freshman, she was named ACC Rookie of the Year. Then by her sophomore season, she had already hit the 1,000-point mark and locked in a spot on the ACC All-Defensive Team—just barely missing an All-ACC First Team selection. Her junior year saw her take another leap, emerging as the ACC’s leading scorer while earning both All-ACC First Team and All-Defensive Team honors. But it was her senior season that truly cemented her legacy.

Sweeping nearly every major accolade while, she capped it all off by winning the 2010 WBCA NCAA Division I Defensive Player of the Year award, solidifying herself as one of the most dominant two-way players in college basketball. She’d finish her career with 2,540 points and a record of 25 points in as many as 28 games. She’d come back years later as an assistant coach for two seasons, which were a tough pill to swallow, but first, she had WNBA to stun.

Making it big in the pro leagues

After being picked second overall by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2010 WNBA draft, Monica Wright made immediate impact, earning a spot on the All-Rookie Team. She’d help the franchise with two championship titles before being traded to Seattle Storm in 2015. But it just wasn’t to be.

Her first campaign with the new team, the star guard had to miss the rest of the season due to knee injury. While she did return the following year, that would be her last. In the duration, she had also played overseas in Poland, Turkey, Australia, South Korea and Iceland. But after retirement, Rogers knew she wanted to continue with the sport but unsure at what level. So she’s continue with coaching initially and the front office eventually.

After her tenure as women’s basketball director of student-athlete development at the University of the Incarnate Word, she moved on to be an assistant coach for Liberty University and University of Virginia, from 2019 to 2021. But looks like it was her role as the secretary-treasurer on the Players Association Board during her playing days that really stuck with her.

Rogers found her calling in executive roles

During her time as an assistant coach at UVA, Monica Rogers helped the Cavaliers to 13-17 overall and 8-10 in ACC play in her first season. The next was cut short due to COVID. It was a stinging reality for all the comfort and excitement she had reached Charlottesville for. Regardless, it couldn’t mar her memories of the place. Rogers admits she and her husband, Michael Rogers, whom she married in 2018, miss Charlottesville largely.

“I made friends for life. It was a special time. I had my first kid there [McKale]. So being back and connected in that Charlottesville community was everything to me, and I appreciate the administration for allowing me the chance to do that,” she conveyed via Virginia Sports.

It was then that she’d see the first step towards a new chapter. Out of nowhere, NBA contacted Rogers to serve as Elite Basketball Women’s Operations Lead for the NBA. She promoted the league internationally, to young women, and thrived in her role. W notes her work was essential in the trajectory of women’s youth basketball to the WNBA. No wonder Phoenix Mercury set its sight on her.

In January 2023, the franchise hired her as the assistant general manager and she knew that is where she wanted to be. Rodgers worked to bridge the gap between staff and the players– basketball and business. She would also scout college players that could suit the Mercury. “Having won championships in the playoffs against the Mercury, I know first-hand that this is a team that operates like a championship team every year,” she had said. Now after two years of contribution, Rogers is yet again on a new path.

Canada’s First WNBA Team

In May, reports surfaced that the WNBA and Kilmer Group were in discussions about bringing an expansion franchise to Toronto. And on May 23rd, Toronto Tempo was confirmed as the 14th franchise in WNBA. Owned by Kilmer Sports Ventures and led by Toronto billionaire Larry Tanenbaum, who secured the team with a $50 million expansion fee, this is WNBA’s first team outside USA

Monica Rogers is expected to get to work almost immediately to hire a head coach and build out the roster for its inaugural season.

“She’s so much more than the collection of her experiences. Monica is an incredible relationship-builder with a sharp eye for talent who embodies everything we want the Tempo to stand for: she’s warm, welcoming, smart, driven and fiercely competitive. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have her on board,” Tempo Basketball Club Inc. President Teresa Resch said.

The new franchise will begin playing in 2026 and host games at Coca-Cola Coliseum.