Leite and 10 others became the first players for the new Bay Area franchise that’s set to begin play next season.
SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Valkyries selected center Iliana Rupert of Atlanta, guard Veronica Burton of Connecticut, guard Carla Leite of Dallas and forward Maria Conde of Chicago with their initial picks of the WNBA expansion draft on Friday, the first players for the new Bay Area franchise that’s set to begin play next season.
This marked the WNBA’s first expansion draft in 16 years since the Atlanta Dream joined the league in 2008. Leite was Dallas’ No. 9 overall pick in the first round of the 2024 WNBA draft in April. She remained overseas for the 2024 season. In 2023 she averaged 15.8 points per game for Tarbes GB of France’s Ligue Féminine de Basketball. Leite was also one of the league’s assist leaders, averaging 5.5 assists throughout the campaign.
Golden State is able to acquire the contract or negotiating rights to one player from each of the other 12 WNBA teams. The Valkyries can also choose one player from throughout the league who’s eligible to become an unrestricted free agent.The Valkyries will play at Chase Center, the 5-year-old home of the Golden State Warriors, and practice across the bay in the organization’s Oakland training facility.
Warriors star Draymond Green sported a Valkyries jersey with No. 25 on the back — for the inaugural campaign of 2025 — while sitting out injured during Thursday’s win over the Houston Rockets.
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