The WNBA expansion draft on Dec. 6 will give the Valkyries the opportunity to draft up to 12 unprotected players from across the entire league. Each team has the ability to protect 6 members of their roster, leaving everyone else vulnerable to a big shift.
A lot of attention has been focused on the lengthy list of unrestricted free agents the Bay Area newbie team could draft from, as well as the list of active WNBA players who could wind up moving to the Golden State — but the Valkyries also have the option to draft players whose rights are owned by their WNBA team but who have yet to step foot on their team's court.
In 2024, five women were drafted into the WNBA who each opted to stay overseas and continue to play for their club teams instead. Like Leonie Fiebich, who was drafted in 2020 but didn't enjoy her rookie season until this year, these players are biding their time until their team is ready for them... or until they get snapped up.
Here's a look at the WNBA 2024 draftees the Valkyries could bring Stateside this year:
Carla Leite
Leite, a 5'9" point guard from Tarbes, France, was selected by the Dallas Wings as the 9th pick in the first round of this year's draft. Leite chose to stay in France to get more consistent playing time but is considered a good long-term investment for the WNBA. She was also on France's 18-player candidate list for the 2024 Olympic team but ultimately did not make the country's final 12-player list.
Leïla Lacan
Lacan, a 5'11" guard, was drafted by the Connecticut Sun as the 10th pick in the first round of the draft this year. She chose to stay in France to compete with her team at the 2024 Olympic Games, where they took home the silver medal.
At the time of the draft, the Sun's GM Darius Taylor told The Next, "We felt like she was the second best guard in the draft. Just what she can do, her ability to play both positions, to score three levels, and just defend — she’s a two-way player. We were really excited to have the opportunity to draft her."
Nyadiew Puoch
The Atlanta Dream drafted the 6'3" forward/center Puoch as the 12th overall pick but ended up staying in Australia for the NBL1 team, the Rangers. Pucoh will also play for the UC Capitals in the WNBL for the 2024-25 season.
Ahead of the draft, Puoch that she planned to enjoy the entire experience. "It's cool, I'm excited to experience everything over the next couple of days. Getting picked up and driven around, this doesn't happen every day especially when you're from Australia so I'm taking it all in," she explained.
Isobel Borlase
The Dream also drafted Borlase this year as the 20th overall pick. Like Puoch, Borlase stayed in Australia this season, where she has played for the Adelaide Lightning. Borlase averaged 13.5 points this season and has been touted as the most important member of the team.
In October she told Rookie Me Central that she was happy to be home. "I think Adelaide is my favorite team to play for, and I love playing with all the girls I get to play with," Borlase explained. "I am super excited to see what we can do and I am just happy to be home."
Matilde Villa
Italian Villa is the third international player drafted by the Dream this year — and who still hasn't played in the WNBA. Villa was selected as the 32nd overall pick. Both her older brother Edoardo and twin sister Elonora are basketball players, and Elonora currently plays for the Washington State Cougars in the United States.