The day the Golden State Valkyries have been waiting for is here — the WNBA Expansion Draft. It will be Golden State's first opportunity to start to fill out the roster for its inaugural 2025 season, which will begin on May 16 in San Francisco.
It will be the league's first expansion draft since 2008, causing even more excitement for the event. The Bay Area is ready to welcome a WNBA team to Northern California, with a season ticket deposit demand that has exceeded that of other women's sports franchises in the United States.
High Post Hoops covered the event with instant reactions and analyses of every player the Valkyries selected (find the full list below). Golden State left the expansion draft with 11 players, opting not to select a player from Seattle.
How to watch the Golden State Valkyries' WNBA Expansion Draft
The WNBA Expansion Draft will air on ESPN at 6:30 p.m. ET and is expected to last 30 minutes. You can stream it on fuboTV, which offers a free seven-day trial for new users.
Full and updated list of players Valkyries selected in expansion draft
Atlanta Dream: C Iliana Rupert
The 23-year-old averaged 1.8 points and 2.0 rebounds in 7.9 minutes per game for the Dream in 2023 (20 contests). Rupert spent the 2022 season with Nakase in Las Vegas with the Aces, so she brings championship experience. She's a good stretch five pick-up for Golden State.
Chicago Sky: F María Conde
Chicago drafted Conde in the third round of the 2019 draft, but the 27-year-old never suited up for the Sky. She has spent the last few seasons overseas and currently plays for USK Praha. Conde is averaging 14.8 points, 6.7 assists, and 5.5 rebounds per game. She isn't a player most fans are familiar with, but that could change if she makes the final Valkyries roster.
Connecticut Sun: G Veronica Burton
The 24-year-old averaged 3.1 points, 1.9 assists, and 1.4 rebounds per game last season in 12.7 minutes for the Sun (31 contests). Burton was an afterthought in her first two seasons in Dallas, but that changed on a good Connecticut squad. Her continued development will be a lot of fun to watch.
Dallas Wings: G Carla Leite
Dallas fans are surprised that the Wings didn't protect Leite, which should tell you everything you need to know. The 20-year-old was selected No. 9 overall by Dallas in the 2024 draft but opted to stay overseas. Leite is averaging 16.1 points and 5.4 assists per game for Villeneuve, shooting 40% from three. Valkyries fans hope Leite will decide to join Golden State in 2025.
Indiana Fever: C Temi Fagbenle
Fagbenle is another player fans couldn't believe wasn't protected. She is the Fever's loss but the Valkyries' gain. She averaged 6.4 points and 4.7 rebounds in 18.9 minutes per game for Indiana last season (22 contests). Fagbenle will be a restricted free agent, but Golden State can match any offers she gets. The 32-year-old will be a valuable veteran leader in a young locker room.
Las Vegas Aces: G Kate Martin
Martin went from thinking she'd go undrafted in 2024 to being the Aces' beloved rookie and then being selected by the Valkyries. The 24-year-old averaged 2.6 points, 1.6 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 11.5 minutes per game in Las Vegas (34 contests). She'll undoubtedly have an elevated role in Golden State under Nakase, who was with Martin in Las Vegas.
Los Angeles Sparks: F Steph Talbot
Talbot averaged 3.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists in 16.2 minutes per game for the Sparks last season (37 contests with 10 starts). She helped lead Australia to the bronze medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 30-year-old gives the Valkyries another veteran presence.
Minnesota Lynx: F Cecilia Zandalasini
Zandalasini is one of the top international players in the WNBA. The 28-year-old averaged 4.6 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game in 12.2 minutes for Minnesota last season (40 games). It was her first season returning to the Lynx after she spent the last few seasons playing overseas. She played for Minnesota from 2017-18.
New York Liberty: F Kayla Thornton
Liberty players like Breanna Stewart are devastated that Golden State selected Thornton in the draft, and for good reason. She brings the most experience, including a 2024 championship, to the Valkyries. The 32-year-old averaged 5.5 points and 2.6 rebounds in 20.3 minutes per game for New York last season (40 contests with 11 starts). Valkyries fans will love Thornton's hustle, grit, and personality.
Phoenix Mercury: F Monique Billings
Billings joins Golden State after spending the 2024 season in Dallas (24 games with 12 starts) and Phoenix (13 games with two starts). The 28-year-old averaged 8.8 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 1.9 steals in 25.4 minutes per game with the Wings. The Valkyries were allowed to select one unrestricted free agent, and Billings was their choice. She's moved around a lot over the past year but will return to her home state of California.
Seattle Storm: Valkyries chose not to make a selection
Washington Mystics: G Julie Vanloo
Vanloo, at 31 years old, was the oldest rookie in the league last season. She set the Mystics' franchise rookie record for made three-pointers in a season (72). Vanloo averaged 7.4 points, 4.3 assists, and 1.6 rebounds in 23.2 minutes per game. She's the three-point threat the Valkyries needed.