Golden State Valkyries select 11 players in WNBA Expansion Draft
The Golden State Valkyries selected center Iliana Rupert of Atlanta, guard Veronica Burton of Connecticut, guard Carla Leite of Dallas and forward Maria Conde of Chicago with their initial picks in the WNBA Expansion Draft.
SAN FRANCISCO– The Golden State Valkyries selected center Iliana Rupert of Atlanta, guards Veronica Burton of Connecticut and Carla Leite of Dallas and forward Maria Conde of Chicago with their first picks of the WNBA expansion draft Friday, the first players of the new Bay Area franchise that is set to begin play next season.
Golden State rounded out its 11-woman roster with Indiana center Temi Fagbenle; Las Vegas guard Kate Martin; forwards Steph Talbot of Los Angeles, Cecilia Zandalasini of Minnesota, Kayla Thornton of New York and Monique Billings of Phoenix; and Washington guard Julie Vanloo. The Valkyries did not select a player from Seattle.
“It’s a long process, but it’s also a great process for us,” coach Natalie Nakase said. “We kind of did this cycle, where we collaborate, we talk, and then we go see a movie, and then we do it again…and it happened over and over again for about two months. And finally we decided to select the best players who fit our culture. So we’re excited and can’t wait to get started.
This was the WNBA’s first expansion draft in 16 years since the Atlanta Dream joined the league in 2008.
Golden State was free to acquire the contract or negotiating rights of a player from each of the 12 other WNBA teams. The Valkyries can also choose a league-eligible player to become an unrestricted free agent.
The Valkyries will play at Chase Center, the home of the Golden State Warriors for the past five years, and practice across the bay at the organization’s practice facility in Oakland.
Warriors star Draymond Green wore a Valkyries jersey with the number 25 on the back – for the inaugural 2025 campaign – while injured during Thursday’s win over the Houston Rockets.
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