The Golden State Valkyries have finalized their 12-player roster ahead of their season opener against the Los Angeles Sparks, set to take place on Friday at Chase Center. The final roster features a mix of familiar faces and surprising selections, such as Janelle Salaün, who missed the pre-season but has impressed the coaching staff, and Kyara Linskens, who played a limited role in exhibition games but stood out during training.
The Valkyries, however, will not include any of their recent draft picks, specifically Laeticia Amihere, who shone with a game-high 25 points in preseason play. General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin expressed the bittersweet nature of final roster decisions, emphasizing that while some players’ dreams came true, others saw theirs delayed. The team waived third-round pick Kaitlyn Chen and veterans Chloe Bibby, Elissa Cunane, and Migna Touré to meet roster requirements.
Head Coach Natalie Nakase noted that the players selected demonstrated excellent chemistry, potentially setting the stage for a strong performance against the Sparks. Notably, while Salaün did not participate in preseason due to international commitments, Nyanin anticipates her arrival in the Bay Area shortly.
Interestingly, lack of previous roster representation from the draft has left the Valkyries without players from the 2025 draft class at the season’s start, including first-round pick Justė Jocytė, who has European commitments. However, Nyanin clarified that Jocytė’s absence did not influence any roster decisions.
The team’s lineup features a balance of experience and youth among the guards, including established players like Tiffany Hayes and Julie Vanloo, alongside emerging talents such as Carla Leite and Veronica Burton. Leite, a standout in her preseason appearances, aims to continue improving and potentially secure the starting point guard position.
Opportunities may still exist for waived players to return, especially as injuries can lead to the chance of signing 10-day contracts later in the season. With a significant number of European players on the roster, Nyanin remains optimistic about the potential for roster adjustments in light of the upcoming EuroBasket tournament.
With the Valkyries poised to capitalize on their collective strengths and chemistry, fans are hopeful for an exciting season ahead as they launch into competition.