The Golden State Valkyries made their first selections in the WNBA expansion draft on Friday, selecting forward Maria Conde from Chicago, guards Veronica Burton of Connecticut and Carla Leite of Dallas, and center Iliana Rupert from Atlanta. These players will be the first members of the new Bay Area team that will play next season.
Indiana center Temi Fagbenle, Las Vegas guard Kate Martin, Los Angeles forwards Steph Talbot, Cecilia Zandalasini of Minnesota, Kayla Thornton of New York, and Monique Billings of Phoenix, and Washington guard Julie Vanloo completed Golden State’s 11-woman roster. There was no Seattle player selected by the Valkyries.
Coach Natalie Nakase remarked, “It’s a long process, but it’s also a great process for us,” “For roughly two months, we kind of followed this cycle, in which we worked together, talked, went to see a movie, and then did it again. In the end, we selected the top players who matched our culture. As a result, we are eager and eager to begin.”
Since the Atlanta Dream joined the WNBA in 2008, this was the league’s first expansion draft in sixteen years.
Each of the other 12 WNBA teams allowed Golden State to purchase the contract or negotiation rights to one of their players. One league player who is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent may also be selected by the Valkyries.
The Valkyries will practice at the team’s Oakland training facility across the bay and play at Chase Center, the Golden State Warriors’ five-year-old home.
While missing Thursday’s victory over the Houston Rockets due to injury, Warriors player Draymond Green wore a Valkyries jersey with the number 25 on the back for the first season of 2025.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.