31
Mar
Team Profile
Golden State Valkyries: Five things you need to know
Two Australians played for the Golden State Valkyries in their first WNBA season in 2025
- Bay Area returns to women's basketball after 15-year absence
- Innovative ownership group with deep basketball roots
- Chase Center becomes home to both NBA and WNBA excellence
- Latest News: Read more about Aussies in the WNBA
The Golden State Valkyries represent the WNBA's exciting expansion into the basketball-rich San Francisco Bay Area. The Valkyries didn't just join the league in 2025 they exploded on to the scene and became immediate contenders.
Year 2 is now filled with greater expectation.
Golden State Valkyries
League: WNBA (Western Conference)
Founded: 2025
Home Arena: Chase Center — San Francisco, California
Headquarters: Oakland, California
Head Coach: Natalie Nakase
General Manager: Ohemaa Nyanin
President: Jess Smith
Ownership: Joe Lacob, Peter Guber
Five Fast Facts
- The Golden State Valkyries are the WNBA's first expansion team since the Atlanta Dream joined in 2008.
- Team owner Joe Lacob previously owned the San Jose Lasers in the American Basketball League before the WNBA era.
- The Valkyries received over 2,000 season ticket deposits within hours of the franchise announcement.
- The team's logo incorporates the Bay Bridge, symbolising the connection between San Francisco and Oakland.
- The 13 lines from the sword in the logo represent the Valkyries as the 13th team in the WNBA.
Snapshot
- First WNBA expansion team in 17 years (since 2008)
- Finished 23–21 (4th West) in inaugural 2025 season
- Reached playoffs in Year 1 — first expansion team to do so
- Sold out all 22 home games at Chase Center
Inaugural Season: Instant Contenders (2025)
The Golden State Valkyries didn’t just enter the WNBA — they disrupted it.
In their first season, the expansion franchise finished 23–21, secured the No. 8 seed, and became the first expansion team in league history to make the playoffs in Year 1.
They pushed the Minnesota Lynx in the first round, falling 2–0, including a one-point Game 2 loss — a sign their ceiling is already higher than most expansion builds.
This wasn’t a slow burn. It was a statement.
Identity: Built Like the Warriors
The Valkyries’ DNA mirrors the Golden State Warriors — modern, positionless, and skill-driven.
Core pillars:
- Pace and space offence
- Three-point volume
- Multi-positional defenders
- Ball movement over isolation
Head coach Natalie Nakase implemented a system that prioritises decision-making, versatility, and IQ, allowing a roster of role players and internationals to outperform expectations.
Key Players (2025 Core)
Veronica Burton (G)
- Former WNBL star
- Most Improved Player
- All-Defensive Second Team
- Engine of both ends — playmaking and perimeter defence
Kayla Thornton (F)
- All-Star selection
- Team leader in points (14.0) and rebounds (7.0)
Janelle Salaün (F)
- All-Rookie Team
- Stretch forward with scoring upside
Carla Leite (G)
- Rookie shot creator
- Instant offence off the bench
Temi Fagbenle / Iliana Rupert (C/F)
- Interior size + international experience
By the Numbers (2025)
- Record: 23–21 (.523)
- Points: 77.7 per game
- Opp Points: 76.3 per game
- Rebounds: +2.0 differential
- Attendance: 18,064 avg (No. 1 in WNBA)
Awards & Recognition
- Coach of the Year — Natalie Nakase
- Most Improved Player — Veronica Burton
- All-Rookie Team — Janelle Salaün
- Business Leadership Award — Jess Smith
Club Philosophy
The Valkyries were never built to “just compete”.
From day one, ownership invested in:
- Elite facilities (Chase Center)
- Strong front office structure
- Long-term roster flexibility
The vision: build a championship contender, not survive as an expansion team.
Key Figures
The Valkyries' formation has been guided by several key figures who will shape the franchise's early identity:
- Joe Lacob and Peter Guber: The Warriors ownership group that has revolutionised NBA operations brings their expertise and resources to women's basketball.
- Jess Smith: The team president brings valuable experience from her success with Angel City FC, one of the most innovative franchises in women's sports.
- Ohemaa Nyanin: The general manager faces the challenge of building a competitive roster through the expansion draft and making strategic selections in the 2025 WNBA draft.
- Natalie Nakase: The head coach brings extensive basketball knowledge and the opportunity to establish a distinctive playing style and team culture from day one.
Market Impact: Bay Area Buy-In
The Bay Area didn’t wait to see results — it showed up immediately.
- 6,000+ season ticket deposits before first game
- Full-season sellouts in Year 1
- Record attendance across the league
Positioned between San Francisco and Oakland, the Valkyries tapped into one of the deepest basketball markets in the world.
Club Timeline
- September 26, 2023: The Athletic reports Warriors owners finalising agreement for WNBA expansion team
- October 5, 2023: WNBA officially announces San Francisco expansion team to begin play in 2025
- January 30, 2024: Jess Smith hired as team president
- April 16, 2024: Franchise surpasses 6,000 season ticket deposits
- May 7, 2024: Ohemaa Nyanin announced as general manager
- May 14, 2024: Team name and logo revealed as Golden State Valkyries
- December 2024: Valkyries participate in WNBA expansion draft
Outlook: Built Ahead of Schedule
Most expansion teams take years.
The Valkyries took months.
With:
- A proven system
- Award-winning leadership
- A playoff-tested core
Golden State enters 2026 not as a novelty — but as a legitimate contender.
The next step isn’t relevance.
It’s contention.
