After more than a year of anticipation, the Golden State Valkyries (GSV) are gearing up for their inaugural season, arranging extensive preparations prior to their first game in May. This spring, the debut of the 13th Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) team is set to bring fans across the Bay to cheer on a new chapter for the growing league—are you tuning in to watch?
Marking the first WNBA expansion since the Las Vegas Aces in 2018, the Golden State Valkyries have already surpassed 20,000 season ticket deposits. This is on a trend for growth for the WNBA which has announced an upcoming expansion in 2026, the Toronto Tempo. Starting off the preseason strong, the team has stated that initial merchandise sales were through the roof; the announcement video narrated by singer-songwriter Kehlani, an Oakland native, amassed over millions of views across social media platforms.
Their first game on May 16 will be played against the Los Angeles Sparks. Here’s a closer look into the starting five roster: Temi Fagbenle, 6’4” center who played for the Indiana Fever, Kate Martin, 6’0” guard who played for the Las Vegas Aces, Julie Vanloo 5’8” guard who played for the Washington Mystics, Cecilia Zandalasini, 6’2” forward who won a WNBA championship with the New York Liberty and Kayla Thornton, 6’1” forward who also played for the New York Liberty— she is known for her defensive skills. Additionally, the Valkyries most recently signed Tiffany Hayes, the WNBA’s 2024 sixth player of the year with 12 years of WNBA experience under her belt.
photo courtesy of Public Domain
The team selected a variety of younger players and veteran players, most of whom have experience at the professional level. Some teammates include international players. The goal of such choices was to arrange a roster centered around three-point shooting and fast-paced plays.
Guiding the team towards success, head coach Natalie Nakase made history as the first Asian-American head coach in the WNBA. She spent the previous three WNBA seasons with the Las Vegas Aces as an assistant coach for Becky Hammon. Prior to her role as the GSV’s general manager, Ohemaa Nyanin was the assistant manager of five years with the New York Liberty. Additionally, the president of the team, Jess Smith, transitioned from her involvement with the National Women’s Soccer League.
Before the Valkyries, the Sacramento Monarchs were the closest WNBA team to the Bay Area. They made the playoffs 9 times out of their 13 seasons, winning the championship in 2005. Their team was discontinued in 2009 after their 13th season. Raising support for and popularity of the WNBA in the Bay Area, head coach Nakase aims to prepare her team for a championship title in the next 5 years. The team owner Joe Lacob told Nakase this within the first ten minutes of their meeting. Efforts to go after a championship title early in the team’s launching will establish the Valkyries as a competitive team during their inaugural season.
Excited for what the team will contribute to Bay Area sports culture, varsity basketball athlete, Lauryn Lacap ’26 said, “witnessing the Valkyries establish themselves as a dominant WNBA team will be an inspiration for Bay Area youth and female athletes to look up to and relate to.” The game’s expansion and popularity in the Bay may attract more females to the sport, Lacap hopes. She is most looking forward to seeing the energy the Bay Area will bring to the arena in support of the GSV’s upward success.
Varsity basketball captain Amaya Tavu ’26 commented that the expansion will definitely change the game. “The Bay already has such a strong sports culture, and I think having a WNBA team here will show people just how talented and exciting women’s basketball is,” Tavu said.
Hyping the Golden State Valkyries arrival to WNBA, fans are eager to see how the dynamic team will elevate the Bay Area sports culture and inspire the next generation of talented female athletes. “More coverage, more conversations, and hopefully more young girls,” Tavu said, “will start believing they can make it to that level one day.”
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