Golden State Valkyries Select 11 Players in 2024 WNBA Expansion Draft, Build Foundation for 2025 Season
The Golden State Valkyries completed their highly anticipated Expansion Draft, selecting 11 players consisting of a mix of veteran talent and promising young players.
“We are excited to have officially started the journey of building the Golden State Valkyries 2025 team,” said General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin. “Our goal was to construct a roster that embodies both versatility and depth, bringing in a strong mix of leadership, defense, and scoring ability. These players were carefully chosen not only for their skills on the court, but also for their ability to fit into the culture we’re working to build here at Golden State.”
Versatile Talent and Championship Experience
The Valkyries’ selections include a blend of veterans and international talent, headlined by players with championship pedigrees. Four players on the roster have won WNBA titles: Temi Fagbenle (Minnesota, 2017), Cecilia Zandalasini (Minnesota, 2017), Iliana Rupert (Las Vegas, 2022), and Kayla Thornton (New York, 2024). Additionally, the team selected Monique Billings, an upcoming unrestricted free agent from Phoenix, who they now have the option to designate as a “Core” player for exclusive negotiating rights.
The roster features seven international players, showcasing a global footprint: María Conde (Spain), Fagbenle (United Kingdom), Carla Leite (France), Rupert (France), Stephanie Talbot (Australia), Julie Vanloo (Belgium), and Cecilia Zandalasini (Italy).
Draft Strategy and Next Steps
Golden State selected one player from each of the 12 WNBA franchises, with the exception of the Seattle Storm, from a pool of unprotected players determined by league rules. Teams were allowed to protect up to six players, with the Valkyries acquiring the contracts or negotiating rights to the unprotected selections.
Looking ahead, the team will participate in the free agency period beginning in January. The Valkyries hold the fifth, 17th, and 30th overall picks in the 2025 WNBA Draft, offering further opportunities to add young talent to their roster.
Season Tip-Off and Schedule Highlights
The Valkyries will debut in front of their home fans at Chase Center on Friday, May 16, against the Los Angeles Sparks. The 2025 season will include 44 games, with 22 home games at Chase Center. Fans can look forward to two five-game homestands, from June 19–June 29 and August 30–September 6.
Results of the 2024 WNBA Expansion Draft
| Player | Former Team | Pos | Ht | Yrs | College/Country |
| Iliana Rupert | Atlanta Dream | C | 6-4 | 3 | France |
| Maria Conde | Chicago Sky | F | 6-1 | 0 | Florida State/Spain |
| Veronica Burton | Connecticut Sun | G | 5-9 | 3 | Northwestern |
| Carla Leite | Dallas Wings | G | 5-9 | 0 | France |
| Temi Fagbenle | Indiana Fever | C | 6-4 | 4 | USC/United Kingdom |
| Kate Martin | Las Vegas Aces | G | 6-0 | 1 | Iowa |
| Stephanie Talbot | Los Angeles Sparks | F | 6-2 | 6 | Australia |
| Cecilia Zandalasini | Minnesota Lynx | F | 6-2 | 3 | Italy |
| Kayla Thornton | New York Liberty | F | 6-1 | 9 | Texas-El Paso |
| Monique Billings* | Phoenix Mercury | F | 6-4 | 7 | UCLA |
| Julie Vanloo | Washington Mystics | G | 5-8 | 1 | Belgium |
