As the newest WNBA team, the Valkyries faced some challenges when it came to building their initial roster. While the organization snatched some solid players in the expansion draft in December, it struggled to attract big names in free agency. Tiffany Hayes was the only well-known free agent to sign with the Valkyries.
So, after a rather unexciting first offseason, the Valkyries were left with a roster that lacked a clear star. Hayes seemed primed to be the team’s top scorer and go-to offensive option. The veteran showed she could be just that in the Valkyries’ season opener but has barely played since because of an injury.
Nevertheless, the Valkyries have been able to put together a coherent offense and make up for their lack of a proven big-time, go-to scorer by committee.
The Valkyries share the offensive load well
Several players in the league are currently averaging over twenty points per game: Napheesa Collier, Kelsey Plum, A’ja Wilson, Brittney Sykes, Satou Sabally, and Allisha Gray. They are followed by a long list of players averaging at least fifteen points a game.
None of those players are on the Valkyries’ roster. Kayla Thornton is currently the Valkyries’ top scorer, averaging 13.6 points per game. She is followed by Veronica Burton and Janelle Salaün, who are averaging 12.3 and 11.8 points, respectively. Tiffany Hayes and Cecilia Zandalasini are averaging 10 points per game but have only been available for half the season.
Unsurprisingly, the Valkyries currently rank eleventh in points per game across the league with 78.3. Only the Chicago Sky and Connecticut Sun are averaging fewer points per game.
Nevertheless, the Valkyries have been able to win games and currently sit in eighth place. They even scored 95 points against the Las Vegas Aces. The secret to the team’s surprising success has many facets. Golden State’s defense is an important factor, but the team has also been sharing the offensive load well.
Thornton, Burton, and Salaün are the Valkyries’ undisputed key scorers, but they very rarely have to carry the offensive load alone. Whether it is Carla Leite dropping 19 points on the Los Angeles Sparks, Kate Martin scoring 14 points in a matter of minutes against the Minnesota Lynx, Temi Fagbenle recording a double-double against the Sparks, or Cecilia Zandalasini scoring 18 points against the Aces, someone is always stepping up for the Valkyries.
That doesn’t only make the team incredibly fun to watch. It also speaks to the team’s culture and versatility and allows the team to hang with opponents who have big offensive stars. The team’s ability to take care of the offense by committee will be tested during EuroBasket. Janelle Salaün, Temi Fagbenle, Julie Vanloo, and Cecilia Zandalasini are all playing for their national teams.