The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA’s newest franchise, officially took the first steps toward constructing their inaugural team during the 2024 WNBA Expansion Draft on Dec. 6.
The Valkyries select 11 players, a group that blends championship experience, international talent and promising young athletes.
Valkyries General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin said the team is in search of players who could do a little bit of everything.
“Our goal was to construct a roster that embodies both versatility and depth,” Nyanin said. “These players were carefully chosen not only for their skills on the court but also for their ability to fit into the culture we’re working to build here at Golden State.”
The last time the league held an expansion draft was in 2008, with the introduction of the Atlanta Dream, ultimately winning a conference title two seasons later in 2010.
Among the Valkyries’ selections were four players with WNBA championship experience. Temi Fagbenle and Cecilia Zandalasini (Minnesota Lynx, 2017), Iliana Rupert (Las Vegas Aces, 2022) and Kayla Thornton (New York Liberty, 2022.)
- The remaining players selected include:
- Monique Billings (Phoenix Mercury)
- Veronica Burton (Connecticut Sun)
- Maria Conde (Chicago Sky)
- Carla Leite (Dallas Wings)
- Kate Martin (Las Vegas Aces)
- Stephanie Talbot (Los Angeles Sparks)
- Julie Vanloo (Washington Wizards)
The Valkyries did not select a player from the Seattle Storm in the expansion draft.
Fagbenle averaged 4 points and 2.6 rebounds in 2024, showing flashes of greatness on the Fever’s run to the playoffs, ultimately falling to the Connecticut Sun in the first round.
The Valkyries will continue to shape their roster during the upcoming free agency period, beginning Jan. 21.
Additionally, the franchise holds the fifth, 17th, and 30th picks in the 2025 WNBA Draft in April.
During her exit interview in September, Fagbenle said she will miss many of the instances she’d shared with the Fever.
“The moments people don’t see, behind-the-scene scenes, the funny, character-revealing moments, the personality-revealing moments and obviously on the court, the beautiful play,” Fagbenle said. “A bunch of things I am going to keep personal.”
Golden State makes its league debut against the Sparks May 16 at the Chase Center in San Francisco, the new home of the Valkyries.
Contact multi-media & senior sports reporter Noral Parham III at 317-762-7846. Follow him on X @3Noral. For more news, click here.
Noral Parham is the multi-media & senior sports reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Parham has worked with various leagues to provide a diverse perspective in sports, including the Big Ten, Big East, IHSAA, IndyCar, MLB, NHRA, NFL, NBA, WNBA, WWE and the Olympics. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.
