The Golden State Valkyries select 11 players in the WNBA expansion draft

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — 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 on Friday to become the first players selected by the new franchise the Bay Area, which is scheduled to start next season.

Golden State completed its 11-man 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 also a great process for us,” said coach Natalie Nakase. “We kind of did this cycle where we work together, we discuss and then we watch the film, then we do it again… and this went on and on 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 for one player from each of the other 12 WNBA teams. The Valkyries can also select a player from the league who is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent.

The Valkyries will play at Chase Center, the five-year home of the Golden State Warriors, and train across the bay at the organization’s training facility in Oakland.

Warriors star Draymond Green wore a Valkyries jersey with No. 25 on the back – for the inaugural 2025 season – while sitting out with an injury in Thursday’s win over the Houston Rockets.

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