WNBA: Exclusive interview with new Golden State Valkyrie Carla Leite

Carla Leite hasn’t yet played a single WNBA game. Yet, she already has a new team.

After the Dallas Wings, who drafted her No. 9 overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft, left her unprotected in the expansion draft, the Golden State Valkyries jumped on the opportunity to pick one of the most promising European players, who currently is playing for Villeneuve d’Ascq in the La Boulangère Wonderligue in France. Just 20 years old, Leite already has attained numerous accolades, the most important of which is probably the FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship MVP trophy.

Swish Appeal recently caught up with Leite to talk about her basketball experiences, as well as what’s next for the potential future star of the Valkyries:

I read at The Next that you started playing basketball at nine years old, but got really serious about it at 13. What sparked that decision and can you describe what “getting serious” meant at such a young age?

Basketball became serious for me when I joined the Antibes youth team at the age of 13. That’s when I knew I wanted to make basketball my job.

I’m asking that question because, since you’ve been serious about basketball since a young age, did you still have time to be a teenager and do regular teenager stuff?

I don’t think I had a normal adolescence. I was quickly separated from my family and I had to learn to be independent. These are sacrifices that I made and I was happy with this decision. During my rest times, I stayed with the people from the boarding school or I called my family.

You grew up in Yvelines, an hour from Paris, but to play high school ball you moved to Lyon, five hours from your hometown. Is that right? Or did you move somewhere in between?

I was born in Yvelines and then I moved to the south of France in Lorgues at the age of six. After the Pôle Espoirs (a youth training center), I went to the high school in Lyon. My parents helped me with my move and then they went back to Lorgues. I saw them during the school holidays when I had days off.

What’s studying at the Tony Parker Academy like?

I was lucky enough to be in an incredible structure in Lyon (Tony Parker Academy). It had everything on site: school, catering, boarding school and gymnasiums. Most of the time, in the morning, I had school for two hours, then training. I ate and took a nap and I left in the afternoon for two hours of school followed by training. In the evening, I ate and there was study for homework.

You turned pro at 18, only two years ago. How hard was that leap and how did you prepare your body for playing against more physical opponents?

For me, becoming a pro at 18 was a goal and something that I saw as normal. I got injured before the start of the season (psoas tear) so I had to learn on the side. Once I recovered, I managed to quickly adapt to the change in level. I think that was done in continuity.

When and why did you pick 0 as your number?

The first time I wore the number 0 was during the second year in Lyon. I chose this number because I loved Russell Westbrook.

April 15, 2024. How did you feel when it was announced that you were drafted by the Wings?

It was a special day for me because it was also my birthday in France. I tried to have a normal day so as not to stress. In the evening, I ate at a restaurant with my agent, my mental trainer and players from my club.

How and when did you learn about the Wings’ interest in you and how did the communication with the team look like up until you were selected? Were other teams in contact with you as well or maybe your agent told you about other teams being interested?

A few months before the draft, I had several video calls with different franchises. The video call with Dallas went really well. I immediately had a good feeling with them.

Prior to this season, you moved from Tarbes to Villeneuve and got your first taste of the EuroLeague. Unfortunately, your team didn’t make it to the next round, but how would you rate that experience so far for you personally? That 24-point performance against Polkowice especially showed that you’re ready to compete at the highest level.

I am disappointed not to be in the EuroLeague anymore, but I was still able to see the level of this competition. I think it allowed me to improve and compete with the best. I can’t wait to continue to evolve in this championship and perform.

2024 was huge for you. What are your goals for 2025 and beyond?

2025 is a big year for me. I want to win as many titles as possible with my club. Progress with the people around me. And of course [go to] the WNBA, which is really something important for me.

Thank you to Gregory Muntzer of Basketball Pro Agency for arranging the interview.