Former Minnesota Lynx standout signs with Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries have officially signed Cecilia Zandalasini, the 28-year-old forward they selected in their expansion draft in December. Zandalasini played for the Minnesota Lynx for three seasons — 2017, 2018, and 2024 — and averaged 4.6 points in 12.2 minutes per game last year.

The Valkyries roster has taken shape. Golden State brings WNBA returners Stephanie Talbot, Temi Fagbenle, Veronica Burton, Julie Vanloo, Kayla Thornton, Tiffany Hayes, Monique Billings, Kate Martin. They also bring in overseas standouts like Carla Leite and Janelle Salaün, though overseas players might not immediately join the team.

Zandalasini provides another veteran presence and someone who can stretch the floor to a roster beginning from scratch in 2025 under new head coach Natalie Nakase. While Zandalasini has three years of WNBA experience, she’s also played overseas for a wide range of European teams for a decade, including the Italian Club PF Schio (2014-2018), the Turkish Club Fenerbahce (2018-2021), and the Italian Club Virtus Bologna (2021-2024).

What Ceci Zandalasini brings to the Valkyries

At 6’2, the Italian forward brings length and versatility to Golden State. Zandalasini is one of the league’s premier three-point shooters; she shot 44.3% from behind the arc last season and is a 41.5% career three-point shooter. The Lynx were able to protect six players ahead of the expansion draft, and thus, Zandalasini was left unprotected and was selected by the WNBA’s newest team. One of her best moments as a Lynx came during the Commissioner’s Cup Final when she came off the bench to score 15 points on 5-6 shooting.

“She continues to give us a punch offensively,” Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve said after that victory. “Shooting it, driving it, passing it, [she’s a] smart player. [She’s] really getting comfortable in our defensive schemes, [she’s] competitive, so she’s been a big lift for us off the bench.”

Because she had played less than four years in the WNBA, Zandalasini was a reserved player. That means that while she was not immediately under contract upon being selected by Golden State, the Valkyries held her exclusive negotiating rights. On Friday, three months after her selection, she officially signed a contract with the team, per the WNBA’s transactions page.

The Valkyries’ offense will likely be Tiffany Hayes, who is fresh off of a Sixth Player of the Year campaign and is the only former WNBA All-Star on the roster. But Nakase will need shooters and shot creators around the 35-year-old, and Zandalasini will serve as one of those key pieces.