The Golden State Valkyries are a new expansion team in the midst of their second-ever season, and they've gone two-for-two in making the WNBA playoffs in the team's young history.
The Valkyries were officially announced to be coming to the Bay in 2023 as the WNBA's first expansion team since the Atlanta Dream in 2008. The franchise is owned by Joe Lacob and Peter Guber, the owners of the Golden State Warriors.
The Valkyries play in the same arena as the Warriors, the Chase Center, and they're hoping to join the Warriors' banners in the rafters as the WNBA's current No. 2 seed.
Front Office and Coaching Staff
Owner | Joe Lacob, Peter Guber |
General Manager | Ohemaa Nyanin |
Coach | Natalie Nakase |
General manager Ohemaa Nyanin was hired to lead the Valks in 2024 after spending five years as the Director of Basketball Operations and Assistant General Manager with the New York Liberty. She has been cited as been instrumental in recruiting Breanna Stewart, Courtney Vandersloot, and Jonquel Jones for the Liberty in 2023.
Head coach Natalie Nakase was hired as a first-time head coach in the WNBA after being an assistant with the Las Vegas Aces from 2022-2024 and the Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA from 2018-2020.
Golden State Valkyries Season History
Golden State Valkyries | Record | Playoff Results | Head Coach |
2025 | 31-11* | TBD | Natalie Nakase |
2024 | 23-21 | Lost first round | Natalie Nakase |
*last updated Sep. 22.
Golden State Valkyries 2026 Roster
The team has a mix of terrific youth talent such as Veronica Burton and Janelle Salaun, and solid vets like Gabby Williams and Tiffany Hayes.
Name | Position | Height | College | Years Pro |
Gabby Williams | F | 5-11 | UConn | 7 |
Kaitlyn Chen | G | 5-9 | Princeton, UConn | 1 |
Laeticia Amihere | F | 6-3 | South Carolina | 3 |
Juste Jocyte | G-F | 6-0 | - | R |
Kayla Thornton | F | 6-1 | UTEP | 10 |
Kaila Charles | G-F | 6-1 | Maryland | 5 |
Miela Sowah | G | 5-10 | Duke | R |
Iliana Rupert | C | 6-4 | - | 3 |
Janelle Salaun | F | 6-2 | - | 1 |
Tiffany Hayes | G | 5-10 | UConn | 13 |
Veronica Burton | G | 5-9 | Northwestern | 4 |
Cecilia Zandalasini | F | 6-2 | - | 4 |
Kiah Stokes | C | 6-3 | UConn | 10 |
Golden State Valkyries All-Time Leaders
Points (Total) | Veronica Burton | 1,031 |
Points Per Game | Janelle Salaun | 12.0 |
3-Pointers | Janelle Salaun | 155 |
Rebounds | Kayla Thornton | 343 |
Assists | Veronica Burton | 504 |
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