Valkyries put together first roster in expansion draft
They saw it, they liked it, they wanted, they got it.
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*Full selection list is at the bottom of the story*
The Golden State Valkyries assembled their inaugural roster tonight, selecting 11 players from the WNBA’s 12 franchises in the league’s first expansion draft in 16 years.
"We are excited to have officially started the journey of building the Golden State Valkyries 2025 team,” said General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin. “Our goal was to construct a roster that embodies versatility and depth, bringing a strong mix of leadership, defense, and scoring ability.”
The Valkyries leaned heavily on young and international talent. Kayla Thornton and Monique Billings, with a combined 16 years of WNBA experience, almost match the total years of service of the rest of the team combined. On the younger side are Maria Conde and Carla Leite, neither of whom has yet debuted in the league.
Conde and Leite are among the international players on the squad, joined by Iliana Rupert, Temi Fagbenle*, Stephanie Talbot, Cecilia Zandalasini, and Julie Vanloo. Three of them competed in the Paris Olympics, with Rupert and Talbot earning medals. Head coach Natalie Nakase emphasized that the team’s international composition was unintentional, as her focus was on players who embody her three non-negotiables: competitiveness, high character, and hunger.
"Those were the characteristics that I looked. The international part, actually, just when I started to write down, I was like, ‘Oh, these players, half of them are not from the [United] States,’” said Nakase during the post-draft press conference. “But, you know, that wasn't my mindset. It was again, building the best team that that I wanted to build.”
Completing the roster is Iowa standout Kate Martin, who was drafted by the Las Vegas Aces earlier this year. Martin now reunites with Nakase, who served as Becky Hammon’s assistant coach with the Aces until being hired by the Valkyries in October.
“I'm excited with Kate. I grew a very close relationship when I was there with the Aces. She's a very genuine person, but she's also a culture changer. She really pours herself into her work and in her passion the way she plays,” said the head coach.
The only team Golden State chose not to select a player from was the Seattle Storm.
Se the final list with the Golden State Valkyries picks by team:
Atlanta Dream: Iliana Rupert (Center - France)
Chicago Sky: María Conde (Forward - Spain)
Connecticut Sun: Veronica Burton (Guard - USA)
Dallas Wings: Carla Leite (Guard - France)
Indiana Fever: Temi Fagbenle (Center - United Kingdom*)
Las Vegas Aces: Kate Martin (Guard - USA)
Los Angeles Sparks: Stephanie Talbot (Forward - Australia)
Minnesota Lynx: Cecilia Zandalasini (Forward - Italy)
New York Liberty: Kayla Thornton (Forward - USA)
Phoenix Mercury: Monique Billings (Forward - USA)
Seattle Storm: No selection
Washington Mystics: Julie Vanloo (Guard - Belgium)
*Temi Fagbenle was born in Baltimore, Maryland, and moved to the United Kingdom at the age of two. She is a member of the British national team