[Editor’s note: This article is from Athlon Sports’ 2025 WNBA Preview print magazine. , or pick one up at retail racks and newsstands nationwide.]
For the primary time since 2008, the WNBA is making ready to welcome a brand new enlargement franchise within the Golden State Valkyries. Owned and operated by the identical group that runs the NBA’s Golden State Warriors, the Valkyries will look to reflect the success of the seven-time NBA champions whereas sharing the court docket at San Francisco’s Chase Middle.
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Possession set to work instantly, hiring Ohemaa Nyanin as common supervisor. Nyanin comes from the defending champion New York Liberty, the place she was the assistant GM. The staff then employed Natalie Nakase away from the Las Vegas Aces to function the franchise’s first head coach.
Nakase most not too long ago served as an assistant with the Aces, successful back-to-back WNBA titles in 2022 and ’23. Previous to that, she labored within the NBA with the Los Angeles Clippers, most not too long ago as an assistant coach and participant improvement coach with the G League Agua Caliente Clippers.
Staff president Jess Smith additionally joined the Valkyries, making the swap to the WNBA from NWSL squad Angel Metropolis FC, the place she oversaw partnerships, ticketing and commerce as head of income.
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As newcomers, the Valkyries had the benefit of an enlargement draft to assist construct their first roster, ending up with an intriguing mixture of gamers for Nakase to work with. They chose veterans like Tiffany Hayes, Kayla Thornton and Monique Billings in addition to rising stars like Julie Vanloo, Kate Martin and Temi Fagbenle. None of them have been major starters final 12 months for his or her respective squads, however that might add somewhat further gasoline to the hearth as they enter camp.
The massive query right here, as it’s with any brand-new franchise, is how the items will match collectively as they appear to determine their identification.
Kayla Thornton dribbles throughout the NBA All-Star superstar recreation forward at Oakland Area on Feb. 14.Darren Yamashita-Imagn Photographs
Frontcourt
Thornton, who’s coming into her tenth skilled season, is probably the most seasoned of this frontcourt group. She spent the previous two campaigns with the New York Liberty, the place she began a string of video games throughout Courtney Vandersloot’s absence. At 6-foot-1, she was in a position to convey some versatility to the lineup taking part in small ahead when the Liberty opted for 3 within the frontcourt. She averaged 7.9 factors and 4.3 rebounds per recreation from June 6-23. Each marks have been effectively above her season averages of 5.5 and a pair of.6.
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Fagbenle is an intriguing choice at heart, notably as a result of we haven’t seen a lot of her improvement since she was drafted in 2016. She performed a couple of years with Minnesota and was traded to Indiana in 2021, however she elected to play abroad till returning to the Fever final 12 months. She posted profession highs with 6.4 factors and 4.7 rebounds per recreation and was a key a part of the staff’s rotation.
Billings, who cut up her time between Dallas and Phoenix in 2024, is prone to be the third starter within the frontcourt. She initially signed a hardship contract with Dallas — the place she was placing up profession numbers (8.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 1.9 apg) — earlier than the Wings launched her when Satou Sabally returned to the beginning lineup. Billings then joined the Mercury on a seven-day contract earlier than signing via the tip of season, averaging 4.9 factors and 4.2 rebounds in 13 video games. Billings, who’s coming into her eighth 12 months within the league, has by no means had a strong shot at beginning, however this season could possibly be completely different if she returns to that mid-season type she confirmed in Dallas.
Outdoors of these three, the Valkyries are comparatively gentle on forwards and facilities after shedding María Conde to an Achilles tear throughout the EuroLeague season. Stephanie Talbot has some expertise beginning however has had hassle changing into a constant contributor. Coming off a 2023 ACL harm, she appeared in 37 video games for the Los Angeles Sparks, beginning 10, however she averaged simply 16.2 minutes per recreation.
Shyanne Sellers poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being chosen with the No. 17 total choose by the Golden State Valkyries within the 2025 WNBA Draft in New York on April 14.Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Photographs
Backcourt
In one in every of their most essential choices of the enlargement draft, the Valkyries discovered their level guard in Vanloo. A longtime member of the Belgian nationwide staff, Vanloo performed her first WNBA season in 2024 with the Washington Mystics. She made a rapid impression, too, beginning 34 of 40 video games whereas averaging 7.4 factors, 4.3 assists and 1.6 rebounds per recreation. Her 72 3-pointers and 173 assists each ranked within the prime 10 amongst WNBA rookies.
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Vanloo additionally has the advantage of having performed with fellow draftee Cecilia Zandalansini on Galatasaray in Turkey. The Italian ahead performed 12.2 minutes per recreation for Minnesota, providing priceless depth for the Lynx on their run to the WNBA Finals.
And he or she’ll doubtless have Hayes, the 2024 WNBA Sixth Lady of the Yr, within the beginning lineup beside her. Coming into her thirteenth 12 months within the league, Hayes is probably the most skilled participant on this roster and, regardless of coming off the Las Vegas bench for a lot of the 12 months, nonetheless averaged 9.5 factors, 2.8 rebounds and a pair of.1 assists throughout 33 video games. It was a really completely different season for Hayes, who began all 40 video games in Connecticut the earlier 12 months, however she nonetheless discovered a option to contribute and performed 21.5 minutes per recreation for the then-defending champions.
Once more, that ultimate spot will doubtless rely on how coaching camp goes with Martin, Carla Leite and Veronica Burton battling for place. Leite is somewhat little bit of a wild card, having been drafted by the Dallas Wings however not taking part in within the WNBA final season. Martin and Burton have been buried deep within the Connecticut and Las Vegas rotations, respectively.
Kaitlyn Chen poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being chosen with the No. 30 total choose by the Golden State Valkyries within the 2025 WNBA Draft in New York on April 14.Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Photographs
Remaining Evaluation
All eyes will probably be on Golden State in 2024 — partially as a result of the league is making ready to do all of it once more in 2026 when it provides Toronto and Portland. Can a first-time head coach lead her staff to the playoffs in Yr 1, or will there be a studying curve? Will the staff limp via its first 12 months and earn a lottery choose in 2026 that units a brand new tone? Solely time will inform.
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One huge optimistic going into the season is that the Valkyries seem to have the vocal help and monetary backing of their huge brother staff. And so they have a entrance workplace with spectacular pedigrees. On the court docket, they’ve a number of gamers with championship rings who ought to assist chart a path for the staff. Both manner, Golden State has already introduced that there will probably be 10,000-plus season-ticket holders within the stands lastly able to cheer on skilled ladies’s basketball within the Bay Space.
Past the Arc
Sephora Sponsorship: The Valkyries introduced a groundbreaking partnership with Sephora U.S., making the make-up titan a founding associate. As a part of the settlement, Sephora will earn naming rights to the staff’s Oakland-based efficiency heart and be the presenting sponsor of coaching camp. There can even be a Sephora kiosk on the Chase Middle in addition to a branded Sephora Sounds DJ sales space and branding on the staff’s follow jerseys. Sephora examined the skilled basketball area this summer time as a associate of the Unequalled 3-on-3 basketball league. The Sephora-branded referee uniforms have been fashionable on social media, mixing the shop’s iconic black-and-white-striped bag design with the standard officers outfits.
Model Consciousness: Golden State launched its Valkyries model identification in Might 2024 with a violet, black and white coloration palette. The brand incorporates a V form with the Bay Bridge depicted within the background and a sword within the center. The 13 strains included within the emblem characterize the staff changing into the WNBA’s thirteenth franchise. In Norse mythology, the Valkyries are fearless warrior ladies who usually wield swords. Valkyrie can be a preferred character within the Marvel Cinematic Universe performed by Tessa Thompson, who shared the brand on her social media accounts after the launch.
Draft Recap
1. Justė Jocytė, G, 6-0, Lithuania
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2. Shyanne Sellers, G, 6-2, Maryland
3. Kaitlyn Chen, G, 5-9, UConn
Evaluation: The Valkyries continued their worldwide development, deciding on Justė Jocytė with the franchise’s first draft choose. The 19-year-old guard has proven flashes of greatness taking part in in France, however she is going to take somewhat growing, and studying from gamers like Julie Vanloo and veteran Tiffany Hayes can solely assist. Golden State continued to load up on guards, selecting Shyanne Sellers of Maryland and Kaitlyn Chen of UConn. Accidents marred Sellers’ collegiate profession, however she confirmed loads of potential as an athletic wing who can pull up and shoot successfully within the midrange. Chen is an intriguing third-round choose, having helped lead the Huskies to the nationwide championship whereas taking pictures north of 51% from the sphere.
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