Valkyries select 7 international players in WNBA expansion draft
SAN FRANCISCO -- The Golden State Valkyries didn't set out to form an international-heavy roster through Friday's WNBA expansion draft as the league's 13th franchise continues to take shape. Heading into the draft, head coach Natalie Nakase and general manager Ohemaa Nyanin said the nonnegotiable attributes they emphasized were "competitiveness, high character and a never satisfied mindset."
But by the end of the draft, Nakase and Nyanin couldn't help but be struck by their roster's initial international presence. Seven of the 11 players the Valkyries selected Friday hail from outside the United States.
The international part ... that wasn't my mindset," Nakase said. "It was building the best team that I wanted to build."
Friday's selections included Temi Fagbenle (Great Britain), Stephanie Talbot (Australia), Julie Vanloo (Belgium), Maria Conde (Spain), Cecilia Zandalasini (Italy) and Iliana Rupert and Carla Leite, both of whom hail from France.
Nakase said she was particularly excited by Fagbenle's availability in the draft. In 2024, the veteran Indiana Fever forward built an instant rapport with No. 1 pick Caitlin Clark and broke into the starting lineup just seven games into the season. Fagbenle's defensive presence was a major factor for the Fever. However, she played just 22 games after suffering three injuries.
https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/42821131/valkyries-select-7-international-players-wnba-expansion-draft