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Here it is, the first draft in Golden State Valkyries’ history!
With the No. 5 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, it initially was predicted that the organization would have a chance of landing French prospect Dominique Malonga, but according to recent mock drafts Malonga will be off the board once the fifth selection comes up. And because the roster assembled by GM Oheema Nyanin has yet to play a single game together, it’s extremely hard to predict who’ll be the perfect complementary player for this group. Yet, we’re here to have some fun and make hilariously wrong predictions, right?
Yesterday during the WNBA’s pre-draft media Zoom call, ESPN’s Andraya Carter said:
The Valkyries want to play uptempo basketball and be a very competitive group, so the million dollar question is who they’re going to go with in the draft. A rookie could come in and contribute. And this pick will be made with the intentions of who the Valkyries will be trying to fit and who the fans will be excited to see.
To try to project which rookies make the most sense for the Valkyries, let’s break down Golden State’s roster. Some combination of Tiffany Hayes, Kate Martin, Julie Vanloo and Veronica Burton should see significant backcourt minutes, while Janelle Salaün, Temi Fagbenle, Kayla Thornton and Monique Billings will occupy the most frontcourt minutes. Depending on how head coach Natalie Nakase chooses to mix and match lineups, with the likes of Cecilia Zandalisini and Steph Talbot also in line for playing time, the small forward position stands out as a spot for a potential rookie to step in, earn minutes and make an impact.
Aneesah Morrow makes sense for Golden State
Enter LSU’s Aneesah Morrow. Morrow averaged 18.7 points, 13.5 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game in her final college season at LSU.
She has not garnered much respect in the mock drafts, as the No. 5 spot seems to be her ceiling. But for Golden State, selecting the 6-foot-1 elite college-level rebounder and defender makes a ton of sense. Considering that Morrow could play next to Salaün, who can stretch the floor with her long-distance shooting and, in turn, create opportunities for the Chicagoan on the interior, Morrow could immediately work for the Valkyries.
Juste Joctye could add more international flavor to the Valkyries
Another wing that the Valkyries might target is Juste Jocyte. The 19-year-old Lithuanian would undoubtedly benefit from the international environment in Golden State, playing with other European prospects, from Salaün to Carla Leite to Iliana Rupert, with whom she can come of age as a WNBA player.
Jocyte is still raw, but has undeniable talent, which she exhibited playing for Lyon in France this season. Her averages of 11.9 points and 2.8 assists show that she can play against physically strong, demanding players. And since the Valkyries want to build the team slowly, they have the time and patience to develop her into the WNBA player she can become.
