Golden State Valkyries Roster 2025: Full Breakdown of the Team

Looking at the Golden State Valkyries roster heading into 2025, you can see they're not messing around. What jumps out immediately is how much thought went into balancing youth with experience. Take someone like Carla Leite from France – she's got that international flair and hunger you love to see in young players. Pair her with Kaitlyn Chen, who's coming off a solid college career at Connecticut, and you've got two guards who can really push the pace and bring energy every night.
But here's what's smart about this build: they didn't just go young for the sake of it. Tiffany Hayes has been around the league for over a decade, and that kind of veteran presence is invaluable when things get tough in the fourth quarter.
The international flavor of this Golden State Valkyries roster is really interesting, too. Janelle Salaün brings that European basketball sophistication – you know, the kind of player who sees two passes ahead and can stretch the floor from anywhere. Chloe Bibby from Australia adds that Aussie toughness that never backs down from contact.
What might be the most encouraging sign is the depth they've built. Players like Veronica Burton, Laeticia Amihere, and Temi Fágbénlé aren't household names yet, but they're exactly the type of versatile, smart players who can adapt to whatever the game demands. Burton can guard multiple positions, Amihere has that size and athleticism that creates matchup problems, and Fágbénlé brings a basketball IQ that coaches dream about. This feels like a team that could really gel quickly.

Golden State Valkyries Roster 2025

Anyone who's been watching the Golden State Valkyries can tell that 2025 feels different. There's a buzz around this team that hasn't been there in years, and honestly, it's about time. The front office finally seems to have a clear vision of what they want to build, and more importantly, they're actually executing it.
Take Tiffany Hayes – she's been in this league long enough to remember when the Valkyries were actually good, and now she's back to help them get there again. Then you've got Kayla Thornton, who's always been one of those players other teams hate to face because she just doesn't give you easy possessions. These aren't flashy signings, but they're smart ones.
The rookies are where things get really interesting, though. Carla Leite has been turning heads since she got here, and Janelle Salaün brings that European style that can really mess with teams that aren't ready for it. These young players aren't just here to learn – they're here to contribute right away. The Valkyries are changing the narrative that expansion teams cannot compete in their formative years. Given below is Golden State Valkyries complete roster as per ESPN:

Golden State Valkyries Key Players

The Golden State Valkyries have found their rhythm in year one thanks to three players who've basically become the heart and soul of this new franchise. Kayla Thornton, Tiffany Hayes and Janelle Salaün aren't just putting up numbers, they're showing everyone what this team is all about.
Hayes is that veteran presence every young team desperately needs. She's got that killer instinct where she can take over a game when things get ugly, and honestly, watching her work is pretty impressive.
Janelle Salaün plays like she's been in the league for years, not months. For a rookie, she's got this natural feel for basketball that you can't really teach, she just seems to know where to be and when to be there. What's impressive about Salaün is how she impacts games without needing to score 20 points. She'll grab a crucial rebound, make a smart cut for an easy basket, or poke the ball away at just the right moment.
Thornton does all the dirty work that doesn't always show up in highlight reels but wins basketball games. She's scrapping for rebounds, switching onto different players on defense, and hitting shots when the team needs them most. She's got that blue-collar mentality that rubs off on everyone else, the kind of player who makes her teammates work harder just by example.

#1: Kayla Thornton (15.0 PPG)

Kayla Thornton is exactly the type of player you build a team around, and the Golden State Valkyries figured that out pretty quickly. After nine years grinding it out in professional basketball, she's found a perfect home with this new franchise where her no-nonsense style fits like a glove.
The numbers tell part of the story, 15.0 points and 6.9 rebounds per game, but they don't capture how she just makes things happen when her team needs it most.
What's really cool about Thornton's story is that she wasn't some can't-miss prospect. She went undrafted but refused to let that define her career. Instead, she's traveled all over the world, to six different countries, perfecting her craft and proving she belongs at the highest level. Those UTEP records she set in college were just the beginning.
The Valkyries knew exactly what they were getting when they picked her up in the expansion draft. She's that player who dives for loose balls, guards multiple positions, and somehow always seems to make the right play when the game's on the line. Her teammates feed off that energy, and you can see how much respect she's earned in the locker room. For a brand-new team trying to establish an identity, having someone like Thornton around is invaluable, making her one of the best Golden State Valkyries basketball players.

#2: Tiffany Hayes (12.0 PPG)

Tiffany Hayes is the kind of player who's seen it all and done most of it, which is exactly what the Golden State Valkyries needed when they started building this team from scratch. At this stage of her career, she doesn't need to prove anything to anyone, she's already done that over 12 seasons in the league.
The crazy thing about Hayes is how she's still producing at such a high level. Putting up nearly 12 points a game might not jump off the page, but when you watch her play, you see all the little things that make a huge difference.
What really sets Hayes apart is her resume. She's been an All-Star, made All-WNBA First Team, earned defensive honors, and just last year won Sixth Woman of the Year. That's not the kind of experience you can teach or fake, it's earned through years of competing at the highest level. Having someone who's been through championship runs and playoff battles is invaluable for a young franchise.
Her UConn pedigree doesn't hurt either. Players from that program just know how to win, and Hayes brings that mentality to Golden State every single day. She's not trying to be the superstar anymore; she's focused on helping this team find its identity and compete right away.
The 4,000 career points and 1,000 rebounds are nice milestones, but what the Valkyries really value is having someone who can create her own shot when the offense stalls and who won't panic in big moments. That's the kind of veteran presence that can fast-track a rebuild.

#3: Janelle Salaün (11.8 PPG)

Janelle Salaün has been turning heads all season long with the Golden State Valkyries. The French forward brings an infectious energy to the court that's impossible to ignore, whether she's draining threes or crashing the boards with surprising tenacity.
What catches your eye first is her shot. Salaün has this effortless release from three-point range that keeps defenders honest and opens up the entire floor for her teammates. When she gets hot, you can feel the momentum shift in the building.
But here's what really separates her: she does the little things that don't always show up in the box score. Her rebounding instincts are remarkable for someone her size - she just seems to know where the ball is going to bounce. She's constantly diving for loose balls and creating second chances through pure hustle.
The most impressive thing about Salaün might be how composed she looks out there. For someone in her first professional season, she rarely seems rattled. Whether it's knocking down a big shot late in the game or making the right pass when the defense collapses, she just seems to understand what the moment requires.
Her court awareness is off the charts. She's always in the right spot at the right time, whether that's helping on defense or finding the perfect angle for a pass. You can see her basketball IQ in every possession - she plays the game the right way. The Valkyries found themselves a gem in Salaün. She's the kind of player who makes everyone around her better.

Golden State Valkyries Draft Picks 2025

Ohemaa Nyanin went global with the Golden State Valkyries draft picks, and it's easy to see why they're excited about what they found. Their first selection was Justė Jocytė, a forward who's been lighting it up in Lyon after making the move from Lithuania. What jumps out about Jocytė is how smooth she looks on the court - her shot has that effortless arc that makes coaches fall in love, and she's got the kind of length that gives offensive coordinators nightmares. She plays with a maturity that belies her age, probably from years of competing internationally.
With the 17th pick, they grabbed Shyanne Sellers from Maryland, and anyone who watched college basketball last season knows why. Sellers is one of those players who just makes her team better - the kind of guard who can lock down the other team's best perimeter player while running the offense with precision.
Their final pick, Kaitlyn Chen from UConn, might have been the steal of the draft. Sure, she went late at 29, but Chen has that steady presence you want from a point guard. She doesn't try to do too much, makes the right pass, and rarely turns the ball over. Sometimes the best players are the ones who make everyone else look good, and that's Chen in a nutshell.
These three Golden State Valkyries basketball players tell you everything about where the team sees itself heading - young, talented, and built for the long haul. The Golden State Valkyries draft picks reflect a front office that knows exactly what kind of identity they're trying to build.

Justė Jocytė (Forward)

The Golden State Valkyries knew they had something special when Justė Jocytė was still on the board at No. 5. The Lithuanian forward has been making waves across Europe, it's obvious why scouts were buzzing about her.
What strikes you first about Jocytė is how comfortable she looks out there. She's got this natural feel for the game that you can't teach - always seeming to know where the next pass should go or when to take her shot. Her three-point stroke is pure, the kind that swishes through the net with that satisfying sound that gets crowds on their feet.
But she's not just a shooter. Jocytė can handle the ball in the open court, create her own shot when the play breaks down, and guard players bigger or smaller than her. That versatility is exactly what modern basketball demands, and it's why the Valkyries were so high on her potential.
The really impressive thing is her composure. She doesn't get rattled by big moments or tough crowds. When the game speeds up, she somehow finds a way to slow it down just enough to make the right play.
Here's the thing though - Valkyries fans won't get to see Jocytė suit up this season. Despite being drafted fifth overall, she's not on the Golden State Valkyries roster and will miss the entire 2025 campaign. It's disappointing for a fanbase eager to see their lottery pick in action, but the Valkyries are clearly thinking long-term with this selection.

Shyanne Sellers (Guard)

When the Golden State Valkyries grabbed Shyanne Sellers at No. 17, you could almost hear the collective "wow" from scouts around the league. At 6'2", Sellers has everything you want in a modern guard - the size to match up with bigger players and the skills to run an offense.
She's the kind of player who makes the tough plays look routine - diving for loose balls, taking charges, and somehow always ending up with the ball when her team needs a stop. Her defensive instincts are off the charts, and she has this knack for getting under opponents' skin without crossing the line.
What really sets Sellers apart is her basketball IQ. She sees plays developing before they happen and has that rare ability to elevate everyone around her. During her college career, she was the heartbeat of Maryland's defense while also being their primary playmaker.
The front office clearly saw her as someone who could come in and compete for minutes right away. Her versatility means she can guard either backcourt position, and her leadership qualities make her perfect for an expansion team trying to establish its identity.
Unfortunately for Valkyries fans, they won't get to see what Sellers can do this season - she didn't make it to the final Golden State Valkyries roster. It's a tough break for a player who seemed like such a natural fit for what Golden State is trying to build.

Kaitlyn Chen (Guard)

Kaitlyn Chen wasn't the flashiest pick when the Golden State Valkyries called her name at No. 29, but sometimes the best finds come at the end of the draft. The UConn guard has that steady, reliable presence that championship programs are built on.
At 5'9", Chen isn't going to wow anyone with her size, but she plays so much bigger than her height suggests. She's got lightning-quick hands and this uncanny ability to be exactly where she needs to be on every possession. What makes Chen special is her temperament. She never seems rattled, never forces bad shots, and has this natural feel for keeping her teammates involved. During her time at UConn, she was the glue that held everything together - the kind of player who might not fill up the stat sheet but makes everyone around her better.
Her shot selection is textbook perfect, and when crunch time comes, she's got ice in her veins. Chen has knocked down some clutch shots over the years that would make veteran players jealous. She's exactly the type of point guard you want running your second unit - someone who values every possession and makes smart decisions.
The Valkyries clearly saw something they liked in Chen's makeup. She brings that championship pedigree from UConn and the kind of basketball IQ that translates at any level. For a late pick, she could end up being exactly what Golden State needs.

Golden State Valkyries Season Expectations

The Golden State Valkyries are about to tip off their first season, and there's a buzz around the Bay Area that feels different from your typical expansion launch. This isn't a team built to just show up and learn on the job - they've put together a roster that could genuinely turn some heads.
The foundation starts with seasoned pros who know what it takes to win at this level. Tiffany Hayes brings that scoring punch you need when games get tight, while Kayla Thornton and Stephanie Talbot have been through the playoff grind and understand what championship-level basketball looks like. These aren't just veterans filling roster spots - they're leaders who can teach the younger players how to handle the pressure that comes with professional basketball.
What makes this roster intriguing is how they've mixed in emerging talent like Janelle Salaün and Veronica Burton. These Golden State Valkyries players are hungry to prove themselves and have the skill sets to contribute immediately. When you blend that youthful energy with veteran savvy, you often get something special.
The Valkyries have clearly decided they want to play fast and defend hard. The Golden State Valkyries roster is built for switching on defense and pushing the pace on offense, which should make for some entertaining basketball. Teams that get comfortable playing at a slower tempo might find themselves in for a rude awakening when Golden State cranks up the intensity.
Nobody's crowning them champions before they've played a game, but this team has the pieces to make the playoffs in their inaugural season. If the chemistry clicks and everyone stays healthy, the Valkyries could be playing meaningful games in May. Even if they fall short of the postseason, they're going to be competitive every night, and that's more than most expansion teams can say.