Golden State Valkyries have a successful expansion draft, adding 11 new players to their franchise.

Iowa's Kate Martin and free agent Monique Billings chosen by new WNBA team in Bay Area.

December 7th 2024.

Golden State Valkyries have a successful expansion draft, adding 11 new players to their franchise.
The Golden State Valkyries were gearing up for an exciting new chapter as they gathered at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. General manager Ohemaa Nyanin, coach Natalie Nakase, and owner Joe Lacob were ready to take on the challenging task of building their WNBA roster. The atmosphere was buzzing with anticipation as power players in women's basketball mixed with local celebrities like E-40 and former Warriors star Baron Davis.

Nyanin addressed the crowd, expressing her enthusiasm for the franchise's future. It was a momentous occasion, as this was the first expansion draft since 2008. Golfer Michelle Wie kicked off the draft by announcing the Valkyries' first pick, Atlanta Dream center Iliana Rupert. The selections were made in alphabetical order by city name, and the room erupted in cheers when the team chose fan favorite Kate Martin from the Las Vegas Aces.

Nakase and Nyanin were also thrilled to see Indiana's Temi Fagbenle left unprotected. Nakase, who had previously coached against Fagbenle, even designed a special defense to contain her. The draft was being broadcasted live on ESPN, and the picks were made rapidly within a 30-minute window. The Valkyries' expansion draft was just the first step in their journey to build a strong and competitive team. More decisions would need to be made through free agency, potential trades, and the league's draft before their first game against the Los Angeles Sparks on May 16th.

Nyanin explained that they had carefully considered each selection, taking into account the players' overall talent and character. They wanted to see each player as a person, not just an asset. The Valkyries picked one player from 11 of the 12 other teams in the WNBA, with the exception of the Seattle Storm. When asked why they passed on Seattle's players, Nyanin said they didn't want to choose an athlete just for the sake of it. They understood the responsibility of offering players a chance to play for their team and wanted to make sure they were making the right choices.

Nyanin also mentioned that they had tried to contact each player they selected before the draft to avoid any surprises. However, with the time differences due to players participating in overseas leagues, it was a logistical challenge. Despite this, they were able to get some positive reactions from the players they chose. Martin, in particular, was someone Nakase knew well from her time as an assistant coach with the Las Vegas team. She described Martin as a genuine person and a culture changer and was excited to bring her to the Bay Area.

The Valkyries were only allowed to pick one unrestricted free agent, and they chose veteran forward Monique Billings. However, due to the massive time difference as she was playing in China, Nyanin was unable to make contact with her before the draft. They were looking forward to hearing her thoughts and were confident in her abilities based on her six years in Atlanta and her steady presence on the court.

Not all of the players chosen by the Valkyries were established WNBA players. Some, like Spanish standout Maria Conde and French guard Carla Leite, had never played in the league before. But to Nyanin, international experience was just as valuable as WNBA experience. She emphasized that their strategy was to select athletes who fit their team's culture and had proven themselves on a consistent basis.

Lacob had set high expectations for the Valkyries before the draft, with a goal to win a championship in five years or even sooner. Nakase echoed this sentiment, stating that they were determined to be competitive right from the start. With the expansion draft complete, the Valkyries were ready to take on the next steps in building their team and achieving their ultimate goal.

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