The 2024 Expansion Draft is over, and the Golden State Valkyries have made their official selections. The team and its fans can now shift their focus to the 2025 season, which means it's (finally!) time to start talking starting lineups and rosters.
Ahead of the draft Coach Natalie Nakase told ESPN's Chiney Ogwumike that a Valkyries player will first and foremost be "competitive." With the roster the team selected, it certainly looks like that is the case.
Perhaps the biggest surprise of the night was the drafting of Temi Fagbenle, formerly of the Indiana Fever. Fagbenle previously played with the Lynx from 2017-19 before she returned to the league to join the Fever in 2024. Many assumed the center was a lock for the team's list of protected six, and a lot of Fever fans expressed their displeasure about the loss on social media.
Temi Fagbenle is a Golden State Valkyrie
— Clark Report (@CClarkReport) December 6, 2024
Wow pic.twitter.com/1yxc3mtQn1
"Temi Fagbenle is a Golden State Valkyrie," the Caitlin Clark fan account Clark Report tweeted on X, formerly Twitter. "Wow."
The Valkyries also chose several players who either came to the WNBA from overseas or who were drafted by WNBA teams but haven't yet played in the States. It's an interesting decision that will likely bring in an increased international fanbase, especially considering that this includes nearly half the team (and a city like San Francisco is inclined to embrace players from overseas as much as players from the United States). The international additions to the Valkyries are Rupert (France), Conde (Spain), Vanloo (Belgium), Leite (France), and Zandalasini (Italy).
Golden State Valkyries roster
Introducing your first-ever Golden State Valkyries. This is just the beginning of our journey.
— Golden State Valkyries (@wnbagoldenstate) December 7, 2024
Expansion Draft presented by @CarMax. pic.twitter.com/8WU5mOYGRy
Player name | Previous team | Position |
---|---|---|
Iliana Rupert | Atlanta Dream | Center |
Maria Conde | Chicago Sky | Forward |
Veronica Burton | Connecticut Sun | Guard |
Temi Fagbenle | Indiana Fever | Center |
Kayla Thornton | New York Liberty | Forward |
Julie Vanloo | Washington Mystics | Guard |
Carla Leite | Dallas Wings | Guard |
Stephanie Talbot | Los Angeles Sparks | Forward |
Cecilia Zandalasini | Minnesota Lynx | Forward |
Kate Martin | Las Vegas Aces | Guard |
Monique Billings | Phoenix Mercury | Forward |
Golden State Valkyries potential starting lineup
The Valkyries are entering the 2025 season with an impressive roster and there's a lot of potential for a strong starting five. The upcoming draft could change things around a little, but if this was the final team heading into the 2025 season, it's likely the starting five will be Fagbenle, Martin, Vanloo, Billings, and Thornton.
Having said that, it's not quite time to set that starting five in stone. Trade discussions that will begin next year coupled with the 2025 league-wide draft will give the team a few more opportunities to bring more players on board, which could shift the list of starters and the bench as we know them now.
Golden State Valkyries depth chart
Position | Starter | Bench |
---|---|---|
Point guard | Julie Vanloo | Carla Leite |
Shooting guard | Kate Martin | Veronica Burton |
Small forward | Kayla Thornton | Stephanie Talbot/Maria Conde |
Power forward | Temi Fagbenle | Cecilia Zandalasini |
Center | Monique Billings | Iliana Rupert |
Now that the initial roster selection is complete, the real work begins. The Valkyries will now have a little over five months to continue building the foundation for an exciting first season in the WNBA.