Midseason Grades: Golden State Valkyries

After a well-deserved week off for the All-Star break, the Golden State Valkyries enter the second half of their inaugural WNBA season one spot out of the playoff picture with a 10-12 record. If you had bet the over on Fanduel’s win total for the whole season, you’d already be in the money. For context, the Valkyries are on pace to have the highest win percentage of any expansion team in its first WNBA season. Their impressive 7-4 record at home is only outmatched by their record attendance – 11 straight sellouts of 18,064 passionate fans. In short, the team has defied expectations, bringing together a roster of “sixth women,” as starting center Temi Fágbénlé described her teammates, and a staff of “Number 2s,” as team president Jess Smith referred to herself, head coach Natalie Nakase, and general manager Ohemaa Nyanin. So before we tip off the second half, let's grade the first.

The Starters

Kayla Thornton, Temi Fágbénlé, Veronica Burton, and Tiffany Hayes quadruple team Dearica Hamby. Source: Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group

Kayla Thornton #5: A+

Kayla Thornton’s 10th WNBA season has been her best yet. The Valkyries drafted Thornton from the New York Liberty after their WNBA Championship in which Thornton played an important role, though notably scored just 8 points across the 5-game Finals. This season Thornton leads the Valkyries in scoring with 14 ppg (a career high), including scoring the franchise’s first points. She finished off the first half of the season with her first All-Star game appearance.

Veronica Burton #22: A

Veronica Burton is the only other Valkyrie to start every game so far and has blossomed as the team’s lead guard. In her 4th WNBA season, Burton is averaging career highs in nearly every statistical category, including 29 minutes, 11 points, 4.1 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game. Her impact extends beyond the box score, as she takes responsibility for translating Coach Nakase’s game plan to the team and setting the tone defensively. At just 25 years old, fans can be excited about her continued growth.

Tiffany Hayes #15: A

Tiffany "Tip" Hayes, a 12-year veteran, was the Valkyries' most notable free agent signing of the offseason, having just won the 6th Player of the Year award with the Las Vegas Aces. A starter for most of her career, the change back to the starting lineup hasn’t slowed Hayes down one bit. She is a reliable scorer, averaging 12.8 points (2nd on the team) while making 46% of her 3pt attempts (4th best in the league). Unfortunately, Hayes missed several games due to a nose injury sustained early in the season and has since played with a protective face mask that seems to get knocked off every other game.

Temi Fágbénlé #14: B+

At 6’4”, Temi Fágbénlé has been the team’s lone true center for most of the season. She is a defensive anchor able to protect the paint and switch onto guards when needed. With 8 ppg, she is a capable scorer; however, her production on the glass could improve. Of WNBA centers averaging at least 20 minutes per game, Fágbénlé secures the second-fewest rebounds per game at 5.3. Fágbénlé missed 5 games while competing for the United Kingdom at Eurobasket.

Janelle Salaün #13: B+

Janelle Salaün is playing her first season in the WNBA, and though only 23 years old, she has years of overseas professional playing experience. That experience shows in Salaün’s fearless willingness to rise up for a picturesque jumper over any defender. Not so picturesque are her current shooting percentages though – 36% overall and 31.7% from three. She missed several games while participating in Eurobasket (her French team placed 4th in the tournament) and has not quite found her shot again since rejoining.

Core Bench

Source: Golden State Valkyries

Kate Martin #20: A-

If you didn’t know Kate Martin before this season, you certainly know her now. Martin’s #20 jersey flew off the virtual shelves as soon as the Valkyries made them available, and can be spotted throughout Ballhalla on gamedays. She provides defensive energy off the bench as well as the timely three-pointers that earned her the “Money Martin” moniker. Lately, she has stepped into another important role – that of the pregame handshaker hype woman during the starting five introductions.

Monique Billings #25: A-

Monique Billings is an important veteran voice on the Valkyries, who leads the team out of the locker room each game with the now-signature “Go Valks!” clap, clap-clap, clap. In her seven WNBA seasons, she has predominantly featured as a reserve; however, this season filled in as a capable starter at center during Eurobasket. Despite playing out of her natural position, she fared well and helped the Valkyries to four wins in her seven starts.

Carla Leite #0: B+

Carla Leite is the youngest player on the Valkyrie’s roster, making her one of the most exciting in terms of potential. The 21-year-old French rookie opted not to represent her country at Eurobasket despite playing for them previously. That decision paid off, as she had a 4-game stretch of increased playing time for the Valkyries in which she averaged 11 points and 3.5 assists per game, up from her season averages of 6.6 points and 1.9 assists. She likely needs to improve her 3-point shooting to earn more minutes, with just 4 makes in 38 attempts.

Cecilia Zandalasini #24: B-

This one is tough, in part due to a small sample size. Cecilia Zandalasini started the season injured, then went to represent her native Italy, which placed 3rd at Eurobasket. She excelled at Eurobasket, averaging nearly 17 ppg on 48% 3pt shooting while leading the team in minutes and points. Unfortunately, that production has not yet translated to the Valkyries, where she has played just 8 games, the fewest of any current Valkyrie not named Iliana Rupert.

Reinforcements

Source: Mark J. Rebilas

Kaitlyn Chen #2: B+

Kaitlyn Chen was the third pick by the Valkyries in the standard draft and the only draftee still on today’s roster. She was waived at the end of training camp to much fan dismay and then resigned as a Eurobasket replacement player. What she lacks in offensive production, she makes up for in defensive aggression and eagerness to learn and grow as a player.

Laeticia Amihere #3: B+

Laeticia Amihere embodies “Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.” A training camp participant to start the year, Amihere was waived in preseason and then brought back as a replacement player during Eurobasket. Though she has not yet replicated her 20-point preseason performance, her defensive intensity and athleticism earned her a permanent spot on the team.

Iliana Rupert #12: TBD

The Valkyries acquired the rights to sign Iliana Rupert during the expansion draft; however, did not sign her until this past week, due to Rupert’s preference to remain in Europe during Eurobasket. Rupert will now challenge Fágbénlé for minutes at the center position. 

The Staff

General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin, Head Coach Natalie Nakase, Principal Owner Joe Lacob, Team President Jess Smith. Source: Danny Emerman/Bay Area News Group

Coach Natalie Nakase: A

Natalie Nakase is in her first season as a WNBA head coach, having previously worked as an assistant for the Las Vegas Aces and Los Angeles Clippers (as well as a head coaching stint overseas). In just her second month as a WNBA head coach, she earned Coach of the Month honors, in part for successfully navigating the myriad of roster changes this season. Nakase’s challenge for the second half of the season will be integrating Rupert as well as figuring out how to close out some of these late-game losses.

Front Office, led by General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin: B+

Ohemaa Nyanin was hired by the Valkyries after a 5-year stint with the New York Liberty in various roles, most recently as the defending champion’s Assistant GM. Nyanin deserves credit for committing to an international-heavy roster unique in the WNBA and for finding players who bought into the idea of building something new. The on-court results would suggest this has been a success, despite many fans' disappointment and confusion over certain choices (eg. drafting Justė Jocytė with their 1st pick, who opted not to join the Valkyries this year, or waiving Julie Vanloo upon her return to San Francisco after Eurobasket).

Valkyries fans light up Ballhalla after in-arena host Ari Waller tells the visual tech to turn that tv off! A+ for Ari btw.

Ballhalla Fans: A++

If you’ve been to a home game, this grade needs no further explanation. If you haven’t been to a game, GET TO ONE! Ballhalla is truly for everyone. And there are only 11 home games left.

All in all, the Golden State Valkyries have had a tremendous first half to an inaugural season that fans won’t easily forget. The gift and curse of defying expectations, though, is that higher ones are set. And the Bay Area fans reset quickly. See you tonight at Ballhalla!

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