Tag: golden state valkyries

A’ja Wilson, Aces share emotions on the Valkyries picking Kate Martin in the WNBA expansion draft

RIP to Kate Martin and A’ja Wilson’s ‘Finding Nemo’ inspired pregame handshake.

In an expansion draft, teams can only protect so many players and can only control so much.

And the Las Vegas Aces had a lot of really good players to protect from being selected by the Golden State Valkyries as they prepare to enter the WNBA next season, from A’ja Wilson to Kelsey Plum to Alysha Clark.

One player that was left unprotected by the Aces was Kate Martin. And the Valkyries swooped in and made the former Iowa Hawkeye one of their selections.

Now, Martin – who famously didn’t expect to be selected in last spring’s draft before the Aces grabbed her in the second round, and just showed up to support Iowa teammate Caitlin Clark – is poised to be one of the faces of the Valkyries. Simply put, Martin’s WNBA journey so far has been a wild ride.

With that, her former Las Vegas Aces teammates – including Wilson – had a lot of mixed emotions about seeing Martin join another team. There was happiness, sadness, a lot of bittersweetness, and of course, jokes.

By the standard of most second-round draft picks, Martin had a pretty solid rookie season. She played in 34 games, started two, and averaged 2.6 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game in just an average of 11.5 minutes of action. When given extended minutes, she often shined, like when she had 12 points and seven rebounds in a win over Clark and the Fever, or when she had seven points, six rebounds and four assists in a September victory over the Dallas Wings. Along the way, she formed a bond with Wilson, one that including a pregame handshake inspired by “Finding Nemo.”

Martin could play a key role for the Valkyries in their inaugural WNBA campaign.

WNBA fans are (rightfully) stunned after the Fever let the Valkyries draft Temi Fagbenle

Temi Fagbenle not in a Fever jersey is going to be hard to get used to.

Fever center Temi Fagbenle is headed to Golden State, and hoops fans are stunned.

On Friday, as the Golden State Valkyries unveiled their initial roster for the 2025 season, fans patiently watched to see who would become part of history. The first plot twist revealed was the Dallas Wings leaving Carla Leite unprotected. Then, the second one came — Temi Fagbenle.

Yes, the Valkyries drafted Fagbenle. That means she was (SHOCKINGLY!) left unprotected by the Indiana Fever after a rather stellar season with the team and developing a connection with Caitlin Clark. Now, Fagbenle moves to the Bay Area to play for head coach Natalie Nakase.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DDQYst3Jjvq/?igsh=MTUwbnR0Z3M3bDB0eQ%3D%3D

Fagbenle’s departure sent shockwaves through hoops circles, and WNBA fans had a lot to say about it.

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Who did the Golden State Valkyries draft? Here’s what we know about the roster

Here’s the 11 players the Golden State Valkyries drafted.

The Golden State Valkyries finally have a roster, and the countdown until the 2025 season starts is on.

On Friday, the WNBA held the Golden State expansion draft to help the league’s 13th franchise create its inaugural roster. During the 30-minute ESPN reveal, Andraya Carter, Elle Duncan, Chiney Ogwumike and Rebecca Lobo walked hoops fans through Golden State’s choices as it selected players from the league’s current 12 teams.

So, if you’re here, you’re probably wondering: Who did the Golden State Valkyries draft? Well, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s every player the Valkyries and general manager Ohemaa Nyanin picked to play under new head coach Natalie Nakase next season.

Atlanta Dream

Paris 2024 Olympics – Basketball – Women’s Semifinal – France vs Belgium – Bercy Arena, Paris, France – August 09, 2024. Iliana Rupert of France reacts. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein

Pick: Iliana Rupert

Position: Center

Age: 23

Chicago Sky

Aug 7, 2024; Paris, France; Spain small forward Maria Conde (22) dribbles against Belgium small forward Antonia Delaere (6) in the first quarter during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Maria Conde

Position: Forward

Age: 27

Connecticut Sun

Sep 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Connecticut Sun guard Veronica Burton (22) works around Minnesota Lynx guard Natisha Hiedeman (2) during the first half of game one of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Pick: Veronica Burton

Position: Guard

Age: 24

Dallas Wings

French professional basketball player Carla Leite. (Photo courtesy of FIBA Basketball)
French professional basketball player Carla Leite. (Photo courtesy of FIBA Basketball)

Pick: Carla Leite

Position: Guard

Age: 20

Indiana Fever

Jun 30, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Indiana Fever center Temi Fagbenle (14) against the Phoenix Mercury during a WNBA game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Temi Fagbenle

Position: Center

Age: 32

Las Vegas Aces

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JULY 10: Kate Martin #20 of the Las Vegas Aces reacts during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena on July 10, 2024 in Seattle, Washington.  (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Pick: Kate Martin

Position: Guard

Age: 24

Los Angeles Sparks

Jul 2, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; LA Sparks forward Stephanie Talbot (7) dribbles the ball against the Washington Mystics in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Stephanie Talbot

Position: Forward

Age: 30

Minnesota Lynx

Oct 20, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; Minnesota Lynx forward Cecilia Zandalasini (9) looks to drive past New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) in the second quarter during game five of the 2024 WNBA Finals at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Pick: Cecilia Zandalasini

Position: Forward

Age: 28

New York Liberty

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 05: Kayla Thornton #5 of the New York Liberty plays against the Seattle Storm at Barclays Center on September 05, 2024 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.  (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Pick: Kayla Thornton

Position: Forward

Age: 32

Phoenix Mercury

Phoenix Mercury forward Monique Billings goes up for a lay up on Aug. 18, 2024 at Footprint Center in Phoenix.

Pick: Monique Billings

Position: Forward

Age: 28

Seattle Storm

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 11: Gabby Williams #5 of the Seattle Storm celebrates a Los Angeles Sparks foul with Jewell Loyd #24, Skylar Diggins-Smith #4, and Nneka Ogwumike #3 during a 90-82 win at Crypto.com Arena on September 11, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

Pick: PASS

Washington Mystics

Jul 2, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Washington Mystics guard Julie Vanloo (35) celebrates at the end of the game against the LA Sparks at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Pick: Julie Vanloo

Position: Guard

Age: 31

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WNBA fans couldn’t believe the Dallas Wings left Carla Leite unprotected in the Valkyries expansion draft

Carla Leite is a hooper. For some reason, Dallas left her unprotected and the Valkyries swooped in.

The WNBA held its first expansion draft since 2008 on Friday night as the Golden State Valkyries prepare to enter the league next season.

Everything happened fairly quickly. Prior to the draft, teams selected which players they would protect from being picked by the Valkyries, so the expansion club had plenty of time to research its selections ahead of Friday night’s broadcast on ESPN.

But still, fans and media covering the league didn’t really know what was coming. So, there was suspense, surprise and shock at some of the picks.

One selection that many fans were stunned by was Carla Leite being picked from the Dallas Wings.

And not because Leite isn’t a good player – but because folks couldn’t believe that Dallas didn’t protect her.

Leite hasn’t taken a dribble in the WNBA since being selected ninth overall by the Wings in the 2024 draft. The 5-foot-9 French guard opted to stay overseas this season and continue to play professionally in her native country, where she was one of the final players cut from France’s Olympic roster this summer. But at 20-years-old, she’s a player with a lot of upside. In the 2023 FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship, she averaged 18.4 points and 4.3 assists per game – winning the MVP – while helping France win the title.

Make no mistake, Leite wants to play in the WNBA. She said as much to The Next in a 2023 interview. That Dallas didn’t hang onto her for a potential backcourt pairing with Paige Bueckers seems insane.

“I want to go play in the WNBA, I think it’s a style of play that suits me.”

The Golden State Valkyries now own the rights to Leite. Fans of her will have to wait and see if she decides to come to the W for the 2025 season.

UCLA’s graphic celebrating Valkyries’ coach Natalie Nakase made it look like she died

Oh no, UCLA.

The UCLA Bruins’ head-turning announcement that Natalie Nakase will become the Golden State Valkyries’ next coach had people in a frenzy.

On Thursday, Natalie, a UCLA alumna and former basketball player, made history by becoming the first coach of the WNBA’s Golden State expansion team. The news comes five months after the team began its search and just under two months before the franchise will build its first roster through the Golden State Expansion Draft.

With Nakase now on board, it only makes sense that those involved in her journey to becoming a head coach want to celebrate her. But I’m not sure the UCLA social media team intended to make such a morbid gaffe by announcing Natalie’s hiring. The font selection for the graphic sharing the news says “head coach,” but because it’s a bit fancy, it looks like “dead coach.” The graphic also has clouds in the background, which likely doesn’t help.

https://Twitter.com/UCLAWBB/status/1844478022050779446

https://www.instagram.com/p/DA9RXcRzxqv/?igsh=NGVqMmhydW54aGJ3

As you might suspect, people had a field day with the discovery. Here’s how they reacted:

https://Twitter.com/ghostytheeghost/status/1844489678285832308

https://Twitter.com/cwdarney/status/1844687560167022808

https://Twitter.com/loumoore12/status/1844778550341038309

https://Twitter.com/sidelpm/status/1844622946146336879

https://Twitter.com/SubySubyDoo/status/1844794711359340887

https://Twitter.com/itsangierey/status/1844526064845926627

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Sue Bird’s Togethxr brand strikes first WNBA deal with the Seattle Storm’s newest rivals

The Golden State Valkyries become the first WNBA team to official work with Togethxr

The WNBA has been experiencing exponential growth for the last few years, adding supreme talent along the way, like Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, who have helped draw loads of new fans into arenas and to their TV screens. Suddenly, it feels like everyone is watching women’s basketball.  Strike that — women’s sports.

The expansion Golden State Valkyries, who are set to begin play in 2025, are betting that phrase will resonate in the Bay Area with an unlikely ally.

The franchise is partnering with Togethxr, the multimedia company co-founded by trailblazers like WNBA great Sue Bird, to launch the first-ever collaboration with a WNBA team.

Which means, yes, the Seattle Storm’s newest rival on the west coast is in business with the Storm’s most iconic player in franchise history.

The brand’s “Everyone Watches Women’s Sports” shirt has become an unofficial uniform of a long-standing women’s basketball movement. Reaching across the aisle to seek out Togethxr and intentionally create a special piece of merchandise in “Valkyrie Violet” was something even Togethxr’s chief content officer and co-founder Jessica Robertson couldn’t pass up.

(Photo via Golden State Valkyries/Togethxr)
(Photo via Togethxr)

“It was a no-brainer for us,” Robertson told For The Win. “We share a lot of the same values, thought partnership, and if there is a way we can…link arms and continue to share this message that the tired narrative of ‘no one cares about women’s sports’ is just that — it’s tired. …There’s no hesitation around that.”

Robertson shared that connecting with Valkyries president Jess Smith and the progressive culture Golden State is building, along with their women-led leadership team, deeply matters to Togethxr. The Valkyries are showing up and investing in women’s sports and its fans, and those ideals are woven into the brand’s DNA.

“For us, that statement — ‘everyone watches women’s sports’ — is exactly what we want to make sure we’re sharing with the world,” Smith told For The Win. “This is something for everyone. …It’s men, women, all genders. It’s all ages,”

And it’s especially for Sue Bird, though maybe not on days when the Valkyries are facing the Storm.

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Kehlani hopes Paige Bueckers is drafted by the WNBA’s Golden State expansion team

Push the Paige Bueckers agenda, Kehlani.

According to singer Kehlani, the Golden State Valyries already have one directive on their agenda for 2025 — drafting Paige Bueckers.

There’s been a ton of buzz surrounding the WNBA’s newest team. On May 14, the league’s 13th team unveiled its name and logo to a great reception from hoops fans. The announcement had them dropping all kinds of Marvel-related memes.

Now, Kehlani, a long-time women’s basketball fan, is pushing for the team to do one thing: draft UConn’s Paige Bueckers. The singer, who performed during a Valkyries announcement block party over the weekend, was asked who she wanted to see Golden State potentially draft. The answer was simple — Paige Bueckers.

Here’s what she shared:

“I’mma say Paige Bueckers. Be on the right side of history, Paige.”

 

UConn’s Paige Bueckers reacts to Golden State Valkyries new colorway

The UConn star guard chimed in on Twitter after the Golden State Valkyries revealed their new colorway.

Before joining the WNBA as its 13th franchise and the first expansion team since 2008, the WNBA Golden State squad needed to reveal its branding and team name. On Tuesday, WNBA Golden State announced its team name would be the Golden State Valkyries. 

While the reveal of the Valkyries new branding had the basketball community buzzing, the colorway of “Valkyrie Violet” caught the attention of one of the top young prospects in women’s college basketball. UConn star guard and potential 2025 WNBA No. 1 pick Paige Bueckers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, with a reaction.

Via @paigebueckers1 on X:

On the way to an appearance in the Final Four, Bueckers averaged 21.9 points on 53% shooting from the floor to go along with 5.2 rebounds and 3.8 assists per contest. Bueckers is a two-time unanimous first-team All-American and the 2021 Naismith College Player of the Year.

Bueckers will return to UConn for the 2024-25 season.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and X! 

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WNBA Golden State reveals official team name for new franchise

The new WNBA Golden State franchise officially has its name.

After going by “WNBA Golden State” since the announcement of the WNBA’s expansion to the Bay Area, the new franchise officially has its team name.

On Tuesday, WNBA Golden State announced the franchise’s team name would be the Golden State Valkyries.

In their official announcement, WNBA Golden State described the Valkyrie name as “originating from Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike. This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce.” Valkyrie violet will serve as the team’s primary color.

Via @wnbagoldenstate on X:

The Valkyries will be the WNBA’s 13th franchise and the first expansion team since 2008. The Valkyries are set to join the WNBA in 2025.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and X! 

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Official: WNBA’s expansion franchise in Bay Area reveals its name

The team revealed their name on social media and shared a link to their website where fans can purchase team merchandise and tickets.

The WNBA’s expansion franchise in the Bay Area announced its name on Tuesday: The Golden State Valkyries. The team will begin play at the Chase Center in May 2025.

The Valkyries are the league’s 13th franchise and were announced in October 2023. They are the first expansion team for the WNBA since 2008. The team will have its headquarters in Oakland, where the Warriors’ practice facility and front office were located from 1997-2019.

On Tuesday, the team revealed its name on social media and shared a link to its website, where fans can purchase team merchandise and tickets. The team also shared its logo, branding and team colors of black and violet.

“Strong, bold, fierce. Valkyries are a defiant symbol of the power of women. Fighting for community and connection, Valkyries represent the Bay Area spirit of unmatched progress and innovation,” their website stated. “A combination of strength and grace, the Golden State Valkyries are writing the next chapter in the epic tale of the WNBA, a league that has transcended limitations and norms over the last 27 years.”

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