The Golden State Valkyries’ first-ever WNBA Draft is formally within the books, and it was one to recollect. With three new rookies headed to the Bay Space, listed below are the grades for every of the Valkyries’ 2025 WNBA Draft picks.
Justė Jocytė: A Shock at No. 5
The Valkyries made a daring choose proper from the soar with the No. 5 total choose. Whereas many specialists had gamers like Aneesah Morrow or Georgia Amoore mocked to the Valkyries, Golden State selected neither of these well-known gamers regardless of them being out there. As an alternative, the Valkyries chosen 19-year-old Lithuanian guard, Justė Jocytė, a shock to many.
However wanting nearer on the Valkyries’ early roster-building technique to this point, bringing Jocytė to the Bay aligns closely with their technique of betting on worldwide gamers. Within the growth draft, Golden State prioritized taking French guard Carla Leite, the previous ninth choose of the 2024 WNBA draft, and Spanish ahead Maria Conde.
And at the side of valuing the worldwide expertise of former Indiana Fever fan-favorite Temi Fagbanle, it is clear the Valkyries try to get an edge on the remainder of the league relating to non-American gamers. So whereas Jocytė might need come as a shock to many Valkyries followers, and perhaps even a disappointment as an unknown identify, she brings plenty of potential to Golden State.
At 6-foot-2, Jocytė is a tall combo-guard with three-level scoring capability. On French membership Lyon within the BWL this season, Jocytė averaged 11.9 factors, 3.2 rebounds, and a pair of.8 assists in 28.2 minutes per recreation over 21 appearances. Moreover, Jocytė was vital in serving to Lithuania qualify for the EuroBasket ultimate this summer time, averaging 17 factors, 3.8 rebounds, and three.3 assists within the 4 preliminary video games.
However what’s most intriguing about Jocytė is the quantity of high-level basketball already underneath her belt. In 2019, at 14 years previous, Jocytė turned the youngest participant to debut within the Ligue Féminine de Basketball, the highest ladies’s French skilled basketball league. And later that yr, Jocytė turned the youngest to debut within the fashionable EuroLeague Girls, which is the very best skilled basketball league in Europe for girls’s golf equipment.
The one draw back to this choose is Jocytė’s availability in June. With EuroBasket scheduled for June, Jocyte has already stated she would prioritize taking part in for her nationwide staff earlier this month, as she said on the FIBA’s web site.
“The nationwide staff is at all times my precedence,” Jocytė stated. “If the WNBA advised me I could not depart and had to decide on, I might undoubtedly choose the nationwide staff.”
However whereas the Valkyries is not going to see Jocytė early within the season, they’ve a possible worldwide gem on their arms. Certain, going fifth total was a little bit of a leap, in line with some mock drafts. And availability might be one thing to watch. However the Valkyries landed a younger, skilled stud who’s solely going to get higher.
Grade: A-
Shyanne Sellers: Falling into the Valkyries’ lap
Shyanne Sellers falling to No. 17 was a giant draft-night win for Golden State. A giant a part of Sellers’ fall was the collective concern round her knee, which hampered her all season lengthy at Maryland. However Sellers’ fall was the Valkyries’ acquire as a result of a number of WNBA analysts projected Sellers within the prime 10 of the draft. Some folks even believed the Valkyries may choose Sellers outright with the No. 5 choose.
With Sellers, the Valkyries get one other large guard who can facilitate the ground. Her slip was additionally a shock, contemplating the shortage of tall athletic guards on this explicit draft as a consequence of Olivia Miles electing to remain one other yr within the NCAA.
At 6-foot-2, Sellers is a bona fide flooring basic who could make a move from wherever. Scoring-wise, she will get to her spot every time she desires. Within the submit, the midrange, attacking off the drive, Sellers has nice scoring expertise. All of the whereas boasting a potent 3-point jumper, having shot 40.8% from past the arc final season.
Her faculty resume speaks for itself. Sellers earned Related Press All-America Honorable Point out honors. She additionally collected All-Massive Ten First Crew honors from the media for the third straight season, all whereas averaging 14.4 factors, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per recreation this previous season for the Terrapins.
Nevertheless, the knee issues are nonetheless actual. It was sufficient to scare off a number of WNBA groups, and it’ll in all probability preserve Sellers out early within the season. Nonetheless, the Valkyries have time to ease Sellers into the league. Extra importantly, Sellers is worked up to be with Golden State, as she advised the ESPN broadcast.
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“It is particular to be right here, and I am grateful for the chance,” Sellers stated. “Simply being me, soaking it up. I am excited to play with [former Maryland teammate] Chloe Bibby. It is tremendous superb.”
Grade: A-
Kaitlyn Chen: A fan-favorite pickup
Throughout Paige Bueckers’ interview, the first-overall choose of the 2025 WNBA draft gave a shoutout to her UConn Husky teammate Kaitlyn Chen.
“I am simply extraordinarily grateful for [my teammates]. Two groups or one staff can be genius so as to add Kaitlyn Chen and Aubrey Griffin to their groups,” Bueckers stated. “I believe they need to get drafted tonight. I simply love them a lot, and they are going to be my sisters for all times.”
It appears to be like just like the Valkyries took Bueckers’ recommendation. The staff took Chen thirtieth total, including a nationwide champion to their newly made roster. Whereas she was solely with UConn for one season, Chen was an enormous a part of the championship run. The California native began all 40 of UConn’s video games this yr and averaged 6.9 factors, 1.8 rebounds, and three.3 assists per recreation. She was the Huskies’ connector, conserving the offense flowing along with her playmaking and fast-paced tempo.
Whereas it is unlikely Chen will make a big impression this season, it is not out of the realm of chance. She’s beloved by her Husky teammates, demonstrated by her staff going loopy when she was chosen. Bueckers even ran all the way in which from the pink carpet to hug Chen on her approach as much as the rostrum.
In her post-draft interview, Chen expressed her pleasure at being drafted.
“Actually, nonetheless in a little bit little bit of shock. It is all a little bit overwhelming,” Chen stated. “I used to be actually simply right here to look at Paige get drafted, and I am so glad for her. It has been an unreal night time.”
Grade: B
Remaining draft night time grade
It was a giant night time for the Valkyries. They took a high-upside swing with Jocytė and nonetheless obtained a identified expertise in Sellers. All whereas bringing Chen’s chemistry and IQ into their budding locker room. Total, Golden State had a very good night time buying expertise that units them up for the current and the longer term.
Remaining Grade: A