Professional women’s hoops in the Bay Area are one step closer to happening.
As the Golden State Valkyries prepare for their inaugural season in 2025, the franchise began building its roster with the WNBA Expansion Draft Friday. The franchise selected 11 players as it now will shift focus to free agency and the WNBA Draft.
The newly minted franchise is one of three—Golden State, Toronto and Portland—to come in the next few years. The latter two will join the league in 2026, while the Valkyries mark the W’s first new franchise since the Sky and Dream came along over a decade ago.
The Sporting News tracked selections from the WNBA Expansion Draft and Golden State’s inaugural roster.
MORE: Where Paige Bueckers, other stars land in the first 2025 WNBA Mock Draft
WNBA Expansion Draft results
The Valkyries selected from a designated pool of players from each current WNBA team roster. Each franchise designated six “protected players” who are off limits for Golden State.
Golden State Valkyries roster
Below, find a table of Golden State’s selections. The Valkyries did not select a player from the Seattle Storm.
TeamPlayerPos.Atlanta DreamIliana RupertCChicago SkyMaría CondeFConnecticut SunVeronica BurtonGDallas WingsCarla LeiteGIndiana FeverTeme FagbenleCLas Vegas AcesKate MartinGLos Angeles SparksStephanie TalbotFMinnesota LynxCecilia ZandalasiniFNew York LibertyKayla ThorntonFPhoenix MercuryMonique BillingsFWashington MysticsJulie VanlooG
WNBA Expansion Draft live updates on Golden State Valkyries picks
(All times ET)
6:54 p.m.: And that is a wrap. The final three selections for the Valkyries are Liberty forward Kayla Thornton, Mercury forward Monique Billings, and Mystics guard Julie Vanloo.
Golden State passed on selecting a player from Seattle.
6:45 p.m.: And the next four picks have been announced.
The Valkyries have added Fever forward Temi Fagbenle, Aces guard Kate Martin, Sparks forward Stephanie Talbot, and Lynx forward Cecilia Zandalasini.
6:38 p.m.: The first four picks are in!
Golden State will select Atlanta’s Iliana Rupert, Chicago’s María Conde, Connecticut’s Veronica Burton, and Dallas’ Carla Leite.
6:30 p.m.: It’s about that time.
The WNBA Expansion Draft is set to begin from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
6:20 p.m.: The Expansion Draft is set to begin in 10 minutes.
Programming note: Players will be announced in three groups in alphabetical order, per ESPN’s Kendra Andrews. As a reminder, the Valkyries are not required to select a player from each team.
4:58 p.m.: The Valkyries are reportedly poised to select Las Vegas’ Kate Martin and New York’s Kayla Thornton in the Expansion Draft, per Sabreena Merchant and Marcus Thompson of The Athletic.
BREAKING: The Golden State Valkyries will be selecting Kate Martin and Kayla Thornton in the 2025 WNBA expansion draft, The Athletic has learned.
More details from @sabreenajm & @ThompsonScribe: https://t.co/5LouglDkA5 pic.twitter.com/hrPe8Y8t6b
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) December 6, 2024
WNBA Expansion Draft start time
Date: Friday, Dec. 6.Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
The WNBA Expansion Draft will tip off at 6:30 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 6.
What channel is WNBA Expansion Draft on today?
TV channel: ESPNLive stream: Sling
The WNBA Expansion Draft will air nationally on ESPN. Those interested in watching all the action can do so on Sling.
Upcoming WNBA schedule
Here are some key dates on the upcoming WNBA calendar:
DateEventTime (ET)Dec. 6WNBA Expansion Draft6:30 p.m.April 142025 WNBA DraftTBDMay 162025 WNBA Season Tip-OffFirst tip-off at 6:30 p.m.
