Tracking the Golden State Valkyries 2024 WNBA Expansion Draft originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
THE Valkyries of the Golden State finally put together a roster Friday, as the new WNBA team conducted an expansion draft.
The Valkyries formed the first iteration of the first team in franchise history by selecting an unprotected player from 11 of the 12 other WNBA teams. They didn’t pick a player from the Seattle Storm.
First-year general manager Ohemaa Nyanin and new head coach Natalie Nakase have selected players who fit the style of play they want to implement for the 2025 WNBA season.
In addition to the players selected on Friday, the The Valkyries hold No. 5, No. 17 and No. 30 overall picks in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
The Valkyries, who unveiled their jerseys on Thursdaywill begin their inaugural season against Cameron Brink and the Los Angeles Sparks on May 16 at Chase Center.
Here’s how the Valkyries expansion draft went:
First selection: Iliana Rupert – Center (from Atlanta Dream)
Second selection: Maria Condé – Forward (chosen on Chicago Sky)
Third selection: Veronica Burton — Guard (chosen from Connecticut Sun)
Fourth selection: Carla Leite – Guard (chosen from the Dallas Wings)
Fifth selection: Temi Fagbenle – Center (from Indiana Fever)
Sixth selection: Kate Martin – Guard (chosen from the Las Vegas Aces)
Seventh selection: Stéphanie Talbot – Forward (chosen from the Los Angeles Sparks)
Eighth selection: Cecilia Zandalasini – Forward (chosen from Minnesota Lynx)
Ninth selection: Kayla Thornton – Forward (chosen from New York Liberty)
10th selection: Monique Billings — Before (chosen from Phoenix Mercury)
11th selection: No players selected from the Seattle Storm
12th selection: Julie Vanloo — Guard (chosen from Washington Mystics)
“We are excited to have officially begun the journey of building the 2025 Golden State Valkyries team,” Nyanin said in a statement released by the team. “Our goal was to build a team that embodies both versatility and depth, bringing a strong blend of leadership, defense and scoring ability. These players were carefully chosen not only for their skills on the field , but also for their ability to fit into the culture we are working to build here in Golden State.
Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry recorded a message for the Valkyries.
