Fire sign former A’ja Wilson backup to front court

The Portland Fire signed veteran center Megan Gustafson to a two-year protected contract worth $500,000 in Year 1 and $525,000 in Year 2 on Sunday, according to ESPN’s Alexa Philippou. The 29-year-old will wear No. 17 for Portland.

A 6-foot-4 center, Gustafson brings seven seasons of WNBA experience. Drafted No. 17 overall in the 2019 WNBA Draft by the Dallas Wings, Gustafson went on to play for the Wings, Washington Mystics, Phoenix Mercury, and, most recently, the Las Vegas Aces. Through 170 career games, she yields 4.2 points and 2.4 rebounds while shooting 50.1 percent from the field and 35.6 percent from three-point range.

During the 2025 season, Gustafson played 20 games with Las Vegas, starting once and averaging 3.0 points and 1.8 rebounds in 11.3 minutes per game. A lower left leg injury during training camp delayed her season debut until midyear, but she ultimately returned to contribute to the Aces’ championship run, the first title of her career. She served as a backup center behind A’ja Wilson during her time in Las Vegas.

Internationally, Gustafson helped the London Lions win the 2024 EuroCup Women Championship, averaging 16.1 points and 5.4 rebounds in domestic play and 15.2 points and 6.2 rebounds in EuroCup competition. She also won the 2023 Greek League title with Olympiacos and was named to the All-Star Five at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Qualifying Tournament after leading the field with 14.6 points per game while helping Spain qualify.

At Iowa, she finished her collegiate career with 2,804 points and 1,460 rebounds and earned multiple national honors, including Naismith and Associated Press Player of the Year.

The Fire, who currently have only Luisa Geiselsoder as their true center, are likely to rely heavily on Gustafson in the frontcourt rotation.

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