The Golden State Valkyries held their expansion draft on Friday, Dec. 6, and did so in style. Celebrities Michelle Wie West, E-40 and Baron Davis announced the names of the players the expansion team poached from other teams. In the end, they took one player from each team, with the exception of the Seattle Storm.
The drama was made for TV, and it delivered. There were surprises, and some popular players will now call the Bay Area home. Here are the eleven players the Valkyries have selected from around the WNBA and what they can bring to Golden State:
Iliana Rupert (Atlanta Dream)
Rupert’s career averages are 2.7 points and 2.1 rebounds during her two seasons in the WNBA. The center has bounced around the league, playing for the Aces in 2022, the Dream in 2023 and, after sitting out the 2024 to prepare for the Olympics with the France, will be a Valkyrie in 2025.
Maria Conde (Chicago Sky)
The Sky drafted Conde in 2019, but she has yet to play in a WNBA game. Instead, she’s remained overseas playing for ZVVZ USK Praha, where she is averaging 14.8 points per game in EuroLeague Women play and was named the competition’s MVP for the month of November.
Veronica Burton (Connecticut Sun)
Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase mentioned on-air during the draft that the team…
