This was already the method adopted in the NBA in 1995, when the Raptors and Grizzlies arrived in the Great League, and the WNBA therefore did the same with the Golden State Valkyries, who will arrive in the league in 2025.
To fill the squad of this new team, a somewhat special Draft, called an expansion, is organized, where the other franchises protect six players but allow the new team to draw from the other members of their squad. Iliana Rupert can attest to this.
The Frenchwoman, linked to the Atlanta Dream, was selected by coach Natalie Nakase and GM Ohemaa Nyanin of the Valkyries. Rayan's sister, who plays in Portland in the NBA, won the title with the Aces in 2022.
She is one of seven players (out of eleven) who do not come from the United States and who will make up the first squad of the Golden State franchise. “This international aspect was not my state of mind”, explains Natalie Nakase. “I just wanted to build the best squad. »
Experience with four WNBA champions
A group which also includes four former WNBA champions, Iliana Rupert but also Kayla Thornton, who has just won the title with the New York Liberty.
“Having championship experience is vital. You have to have experienced these great moments,” the coach justifies herself. “Our objective was to build a complete and deep squad, with a mixture of leadership, defense and offensive qualities,” specifies Ohemaa Nyanin. “These players have not only been carefully selected for their qualities on the floor, but also to fit with the culture that we will build at Golden State. »
This new group of Valkyries, with its eleven players, although it is almost complete, still needs to be refined. The WNBA squad can in fact be made up of twelve players and the franchise will still have the opportunity to recruit during free agency and the Draft, on April 14, 2025, with its three choices (5th, 17th and 29th). .
The Valkyries Draft
Atlanta Dream: Iliana Rupert
Chicago Sky: Maria Conde
Connecticut Sun: Veronica Burton
Dallas Wings: Carla Leite
Indiana Fever: Temi Fagbenle
Las Vegas Aces: Kate Martin
Sparks: Stephanie Talbot
Minnesota Lynx: Cecilia Zandalasini
New York Liberty: Kayla Thornton
Phoenix Mercury: Monique Billings
Washington Mystics: Julie Vanloo
