Carla Leite will miss EuroBasket this summer so she can play with the Golden State Valkyries, the 5'9" point guard announced on Instagram Tuesday. Leite shared a photo of herself in a Valkyries uniform in her Instagram Story and offered an explanation in French. A translation reads, "It is with great regret that I announce that I will not be able to participate in the EuroBasket 2025 campaign with the French etam due to my commitments to the WNBA club."
"I will remain the first supporter of the Blues and I wish them a wonderful competition!!" Leite added.
The announcement comes two days before WNBA teams have to finalize their rosters before the season begins. The Valkyries will host the Los Angeles Sparks at Chase Center on May 16.
Carla Leite was drafted during the Expansion Draft
Leite was among the players selected in the team's Expansion Draft in December, though her status was called into question after France qualified for EuroBasket in June. She was drafted by the Wings as the No. 9 overall selection in the 2024 WNBA Draft, but spent the season overseas in France, and she was a surprise pick for Golden State since many people expected the Wings to protect her.
As a playmaker Leite is top-tier; she is a pick and roll superstar, her passing on the live dribble is elite, and her ability to distribute the ball is helping to make the Valkyries more of a threat than some anticipated.
The Valkyries still need to make significant roster cuts
Leite's announcement appears to confirm she will be one of the 12 athletes on the Golden State Valkyries' final roster — which currently includes 18 players.
The news comes days after the Instagram account @jocyteball appeared to indicate No. 5 draft pick Juste Joycte will miss the entire WNBA season this year to continue to play for Lithuania. "JJ chose to focus on @eurobasketwomen with Lithuania," a message shared on the account's Instagram Story read. "She will start playing in the WNBA with the Valkyries in 2026."
With Leite apparently locked in and Joycte ruled out, that leaves seven players who were not part of the original Expansion Draft: rookie Kaitlyn Chen and training camp signees Laeticia Amihere, Elissa Cunane, Chloe Bibby, Kyara Linskens, Migna Toure, and Janelle Salaün. Of those players, Linskens and Salaün are expected to play for Belgium and France in the international tournament (or have so far not indicated they will not). Julie Vanloo, who was also picked up during the Expansion Draft and has already proven to be an invaluable member of the team, is also likely to represent Belgium in the tournament this June.
If Linskens and Salaün also opt to support their home countries, Golden State will still need to waive So far, the Valkyries' front office has not indicated who will remain on the team and who will not, and it's possible fans will need to wait until Friday to find out who is on the squad's final roster.