From French youth leagues to the WNBA: The rapid ascent of Carla Leite
In short: Born in 2004, Carla Leite has rapidly evolved from a multi-sport athlete in Poissy to a professional basketball standout. After dominating the French league and securing a EuroCup Finals MVP title, she navigated two WNBA expansion drafts to land with the Portland Fire, marking a swift rise in global basketball.
Carla Leite’s journey into professional basketball began at age nine, though she did not commit seriously to the sport until she was 13. Her early development took her from local clubs like ES Lorguaise and Draguignan UC to the Pôle d'Antibes, eventually leading her to the Tony Parker Academy in 2019. Her breakout moment arrived in 2022 during the U18 French Cup finals, where she scored 27 points, catching the attention of scouts and leading to her first professional contract with Tarbes in the Ligue Féminine de Basketball.
Her professional career in France was marked by rapid accolades. During the 2022–23 season, she was named the league's best young player, and by her second season, she earned a spot on the league all-star team. Her success extended to international play, where she led France to a title at the 2023 FIBA U20 Women's European Championship, earning tournament MVP honors. In 2024, she further cemented her reputation by leading Villeneuve d'Ascq to a EuroCup championship, securing Finals MVP recognition with an impressive average of 20.5 points per game.
Leite’s transition to the WNBA has been defined by the league's expansion. Initially drafted ninth overall by the Dallas Wings in 2024, she remained overseas before being selected by the Golden State Valkyries in the 2024 expansion draft. She made her debut for the franchise in May 2025, quickly proving her value with a career-high 19-point performance just days later. By April 2026, her trajectory shifted again when she was selected by the Portland Fire in the 2026 expansion draft, continuing her professional career in the United States.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Carla Leite
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