HOOPQUEENS wrapped up its biggest season yet, showcasing elite Canadian talent and redefining women’s basketball in the lead-up to Toronto’s WNBA debut.
As the final buzzer echoed through the University of Toronto’s Goldring Centre on July 6, it was clear that HOOPQUEENS Season 4 had done more than entertain; it had solidified its place as a cornerstone in Canada’s growing women’s basketball movement. With four powerhouse teams, 40 elite athletes, and sellout crowds every Sunday from June 8 to July 6, this year’s season marked the league’s biggest and most impactful chapter yet.
In a city abuzz with women’s sports energy, from the Toronto Sceptres’ rising profile on the ice to AFC Toronto’s domination on the pitch and the looming arrival of a WNBA franchise, HOOPQUEENS offered a front-row seat to the future. The League, Canada's first professional women’s basketball league, has grown from grassroots pickup runs in 2020 to a professionally run showcase for some of the country’s finest talent.
This season featured standout performances from a deep roster of athletes with NCAA and U SPORTS pedigree, national team experience, and next-level passion:
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Lashae Dwyer, fresh off a standout season at St. John’s University, proved why she earned the Big East Defensive Player of the Year title and a spot on the All-Big East Second Team.
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Tineya Hylton, a University of Cincinnati graduate and member of Canada’s U23 national team, lit up the court with her scoring and playmaking.
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Kiyara Letlow, entering her final U SPORTS season at Queen’s, brought poise and power, continuing her evolution from 2022 U SPORTS Rookie of the Year to seasoned leader.
But it wasn’t just the athletes on the court who made headlines. Brey Johnson’s return to the hardwood after undergoing chemotherapy last year was nothing short of inspirational, drawing admiration and respect from fans and fellow players alike.
Behind the scenes, former D1 standout and overseas pro Micaella Riche transitioned from player to one of the league’s first General Managers. Her move signals how HOOPQUEENS is not only nurturing athletic careers but also building a full-circle ecosystem for women in sport, from court to front office. “I love that this league is run by women from the community,” said Riche. “We’re building a blueprint for women’s pro hoops in Canada.”
Founded by Nakissa “Keesa K” Koomalsingh, HOOPQUEENS began as a response to local athletes yearning for more than casual pick-up games. Today, it stands as a vibrant league supported by heavyweight sponsors including Nike Canada, Canada Basketball, Red Bull, MLSE Foundation, and Universal Music. Its growth is both organic and intentional, fuelled by community support and a hunger for representation.
“We’ve never had a pro women’s league in Canada,” said Koomalsingh. “So we created it. HOOPQUEENS is about building something that doesn’t just mirror the men’s game, but reflects our culture, our grind, and our community. Now, with the WNBA coming to Toronto, what we’ve built feels even bigger.”
Every week of Season 4 was a celebration of talent, culture, and sisterhood. From packed bleachers and curated music to post-game community events and mentorship opportunities for youth, the experience was both elite and grassroots. Teams like Team Charge, Team Tide, Team Reign, and Team Blaze played with heart and flair, drawing fans from across the GTA and beyond.
Why HOOPQUEENS matters more than ever
The momentum behind women’s basketball in Toronto is unmistakable, but HOOPQUEENS offers more than just a sneak peek at the WNBA-ready talent pool. It’s carving out a uniquely Canadian vision for women’s professional basketball — one that uplifts communities, opens doors, and brings fans along for the journey.
Key takeaways from this landmark season include:
- Visibility and value: Athletes were not only seen but compensated; a rarity in Canadian women’s basketball outside the national team circuit.
- Community investment: The league integrated youth programming, internship opportunities, and volunteer roles, expanding impact beyond the game.
- Representation in leadership: Women are leading the charge, from coaching and management to operations and sponsorship.
With the close of Season 4, HOOPQUEENS has proven that the future of women’s basketball in Canada isn’t just coming — it’s already here. The league has created more than a showcase for high-level hoops; it has built a cultural institution that reflects the excellence, resilience, and community spirit of Black Canadian women athletes and their allies.
As Toronto prepares to welcome a WNBA franchise in 2026, the foundations laid by HOOPQUEENS will be impossible to ignore. This is where the movement was born — not in corporate boardrooms, but on community courts, led by visionaries who dared to reimagine the game. For the players, coaches, founders, and fans, this season wasn’t just a chapter — it was a milestone on the road to something even bigger.
Toronto didn’t just watch women’s basketball rise this summer; it helped build it. And HOOPQUEENS stands proudly at the centre of that transformation.
