The Golden State Valkyries are positioned for immediate success following the completion of the expansion draft

NEW YORK, NY. – The Golden State Valkyries began the process of building their inaugural roster by selecting 11 players in the 2024 WNBA Expansion Draft presented by State Farm^®, the WNBA announced today.

“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.”

The list of players selected includes, Iliana Rupert (Atlanta Dream), Maria Conde (Chicago Sky), Veronica Burton (Connecticut Sun), Carla Leite (Dallas Wings), Temi Fagbenle (Indiana Fever), Kate Martin (Las Vegas Aces), Stephanie Talbot (Los Angeles Sparks), Cecilia Zandalasini (Minnesota Lynx), Kayla Thornton (New York Liberty), Monique Billings (Phoenix Mercury), and Julie Vanloo (Washington Mystics).  The Valkyries did not select a player from the Seattle Storm.

Valkyries present their inaugural 2025 season uniforms

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Four players on the inaugural Golden State roster have won a WNBA championship during their career: Fagbenle and Zandalasini with Minnesota in 2017, Rupert with Las Vegas in 2022, and Thornton with New York in 2024. The team’s roster also boasts seven international players – Maria Conde (Spain), Temi Fagbenle (United Kingdom), Carla Leite (France), Iliana Rupert (France), Stephanie Talbot (Australia), Julie Vanloo (Belgium), and Cecilia Zandalasini (Italy).

Golden State selected from a pool of available players as determined by each of the other 12 WNBA franchises.  Each team was required to submit a maximum of six players who were “protected” and therefore not eligible for selection in the 2024 Expansion Draft presented by State Farm. Golden State had the opportunity to acquire the player contract of, or the negotiating rights to, one available player from each of the current 12 teams. If a player not signed to a contract for the 2025 season was selected, Golden State shall receive whatever rights to such player that the existing team would have had if that player was not selected in the Expansion Draft.

The Valkyries had the option to select one player who is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent following the 2024 season. Golden State now has the right to designate that unrestricted free agent, Billings, as a “Core” player, giving the team exclusive negotiating rights to her in exchange for an offer of a one-year, fully guaranteed contract at the maximum salary.

“It is a little surreal when I think about it in a bigger lens,” Martin said. “When I just focus on where my feet are and focusing on the moment, then I can enjoy every little moment, I do not try to think about the future to much. I do not want to look to far ahead. I am focused on Unrivaled right now too, focused on getting better at basketball and working on my weakness, then my season with the Valkyries. It has been a whirlwind, it is a bit surreal at times, I try to embrace the moment and enjoy those little things and don’t take anything for granted.”

Looking ahead, all teams will enter into the WNBA’s free agency period, as defined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Qualifying offers and “Core” player designations can first be sent Jan. 11 and must be made by Jan. 20.  Teams may begin negotiating with players can negotiate on Jan. 21, while contracts and offer sheets may be signed beginning on Feb. 1.

The Valkyries now hold the fifth, 17^th and 30^th overall selections in the 2025 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm. Golden State will open the regular season on Friday, May 16 when they host the Los Angeles Sparks, who were led last season by three-time WNBA All-Star Dearica Hamby and 2024 WNBA All-Rookie Team selection Rickea Jackson, and who own the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2025 (10:00 p.m. ET).

“The Aces organization first and foremost would like to thank Kate Martin for all of her hard work and dedication to the team this past year. We are proud of Kate and the impact she has made as a member of the Aces team,” Las Vegas Aces said in a statement. “Although we are sad to see her leave, being selected by Golden State shows the value Kate possesses in this league, and we all wish her nothing but the best as she continues her career with the Valkyries. As with anyone who has been a member of this historic franchise, once an Ace, always an Ace, and Kate will always be a member of the Las Vegas Aces family.”

The results of the 2024 WNBA Expansion Draft presented by State Farm are as follows: