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The Golden State Valkyries are the newest team in the WNBA, and they’re not wasting time building a future. With the 2025 WNBA Draft just around the corner, all eyes are on who they’ll take with their first-ever draft pick. And LSU forward Aneesah Morrow is quickly emerging as one of the top names in the conversation.
Morrow is a double-double machine with the tools to impact both ends of the court. She could be precisely the kind of player the Valkyries need to anchor their new era in the Bay Area.
Aneesah Morrow Could Become the Core of the Valkyries
The 6’1’’ forward had a dominant season at LSU, averaging 18.7 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 1.6 assists while shooting 49% from the field and 73.4% from the free throw line. She led Division I in rebounding and double-doubles, proving how valuable she can be on a nightly basis.
The Valkyries currently hold the fifth pick in the first round of the 2025 WNBA Draft. According to our PFSN’s WNBA Mock Draft, Morrow is a strong candidate to land there. She officially declared for the draft on April 7 through a social media video, closing a college career that included a standout two-year stint at DePaul before transferring to LSU.
For a brand-new team, versatility is key, and Morrow easily checks that box. She doesn’t just score and rebound. She creates extra possessions with relentless effort on the boards and can even make plays for others. Her career rebounding average of 12.4 shows she can control the glass from Day 1.
Can She Fit Natalie Nakase’s System in Golden State?
Golden State’s head coach, Natalie Nakase, has clarified that she wants a team that thrives on movement and basketball IQ. Morrow brings all of that. She’s a smart off-ball player and, most importantly, a great offensive rebounder.
Her skill set also complements the pieces Golden State has already added through the expansion draft. The Valkyries selected championship winners like Kayla Thornton, Iliana Rupert, and Temi Fagbenle. These are experienced players who bring defense and leadership to the team. Morrow’s physical style and rebounding tenacity would slide in perfectly alongside them, giving Nakase an immediate frontcourt contributor.
As the Valkyries begin their first-ever WNBA season this May, Morrow could become the face of their franchise. She is a young star with the potential to grow into one of the league’s most productive forwards, and Valkyries can benefit significantly from adding her to the roster.
The 2025 WNBA Draft is scheduled for April 14 in New York City. It will air live on ESPN from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. EST in the U.S. and across TSN channels in Canada.
