The Golden State Valkyries: A Cinderella Story Born from the Expansion Draft! In a league where building a winning team takes time, the Valkyries defied expectations, becoming the first WNBA expansion team to make the playoffs in their inaugural season. But how did they achieve such rapid success? The answer lies in a strategic and impactful expansion draft. Let's dive into the details!
Of the Valkyries' top 10 scorers in 2025, a staggering eight were acquired through the expansion draft. This impressive influx of talent propelled the team to a 23-21 record, securing them the fourth seed in the Western Conference.
With the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo gearing up for their own expansion drafts in 2026, the question on everyone's mind is: Can they replicate the Valkyries' success?
Let's take a closer look at the players who helped shape the Golden State Valkyries' historic first season, as selected in the 2024 WNBA Expansion Draft:
Pick 1: Iliana Rupert, Center, Atlanta Dream. The 6'4" center, unfortunately, missed a significant portion of the season due to overseas commitments, playing in only 21 games. Despite this, she averaged 9.3 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. Her season highlight was a 21-point performance against the Indiana Fever on August 31, 2025.
See Also2025 Portland Fire Roster Breakdown | WNBA Preview & PredictionsWNBA Lockout Incoming? Sophie Cunningham Slams CBA Talks as 'Dumb!' | WNBA NewsPhoenix Mercury's Late Draft Picks: Hidden Gems & Surprising Stories | WNBA HistoryMercury's DeWanna Bonner: A Three-Time Sixth Woman of the Year WinnerPick 2: Maria Conde, Forward, Chicago Sky. Conde's season was cut short due to an Achilles injury in January 2025, preventing her from seeing any WNBA action. She is also signed with Familia Basket Schio of the Italian Lega Basket Femminile.
Pick 3: Veronica Burton, Guard, Connecticut Sun. Burton was a workhorse for the Valkyries, appearing in and starting all 44 games. She averaged 11.9 points and 6 assists per game, earning her the WNBA's Most Improved Player award and a spot on the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team. On August 13, 2025, she showcased her scoring prowess with a 30-point game against the Washington Mystics.
Pick 4: Carla Leite, Guard, Dallas Wings. The 5'9" guard contributed off the bench in 37 games, averaging 7.2 points and 2 assists per game. Her season-high of 19 points came in a victory against the Sparks on May 23, 2025.
Pick 5: Temi Fagbenle, Center, Indiana Fever. Fagbenle transitioned into a starting role with the Valkyries, averaging a career-high 7.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game in 38 starts.
Pick 6: Kate Martin, Guard, Las Vegas Aces. Martin provided valuable contributions off the bench, playing in 42 games and averaging 6.2 points and 2.7 rebounds per game. She scored a career-high 21 points in a game against New York on June 25, 2025.
Pick 7: Stephanie Talbot, Forward, Los Angeles Sparks. Talbot played in 16 games, starting 10, and averaged 3.6 points and 3.3 rebounds before being waived on July 13. She was later signed by the Liberty.
Pick 8: Cecilia Zandalasini, Forward, Minnesota Lynx. Zandalasini's season was impacted by international commitments and injury, but when on the court, she was a key player for Golden State. In 19 games, she averaged 10.5 points, including a 20-point performance against Washington on August 13, 2025.
Pick 9: Kayla Thornton, Forward, New York Liberty. For the first half of the season, Thornton was a standout player, averaging 14 points and 7 rebounds per game. However, a knee injury requiring surgery on July 25, 2025, cut her season short, though she was still named a WNBA All-Star. Her performance included a 29-point game on June 27, 2025.
Pick 10: Monique Billings, Forward, Phoenix Mercury. Billings continued her reliable role, playing in 26 games and averaging 7.3 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. An ankle sprain sidelined her for three weeks in August.
Pick 11: No selection, Seattle Storm. The Valkyries chose not to select any players from Seattle.
Pick 12: Julie Vanloo, Guard, Washington Mystics. Vanloo played for Golden State in May and June, averaging 4.6 points and 4.1 assists per game before being waived on June 30 after an international commitment.
But here's where it gets controversial... Did the Valkyries' success come down to the draft picks, or were other factors at play? What do you think about the impact of expansion drafts on the WNBA? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
