Golden State Valkyries Select 11 Players in WNBA Expansion Draft

The league's 13th team builds an inaugural roster with a mix of international talent, veterans, and young prospects for the 2025 season.

The Golden State Valkyries selected 11 players in the WNBA expansion draft, including veterans Kayla Thornton and Temi Fagbenle and rookie Kate Martin.
The roster features a strong international presence, with six players hailing from outside the United States, including promising European prospects Carla Leite and Iliana Rupert.
Golden State avoided taking on large contracts, preserving significant salary cap space to make moves in the 2025 free agency market.
The Valkyries' strategy focused on building a competitive culture, prioritizing players with high character and an ultra-competitive mindset, according to head coach Natalie Nakase.
Some teams, like the Connecticut Sun and Indiana Fever, lost key rotation players, while the Valkyries' selections signal a growing emphasis on international talent in the WNBA.