NFL
By: Ashmere Prasad
June 12 – Golden State made some roster additions earlier this week with Eurobasket set to tip off on June 18-June 29.
EuroBasket Women is a biennial international women’s basketball competition held between the nations of FIBA Europe for women’s national teams. EuroBasket Women is also used as a qualifying tournament for the FIBA Women’s World Cup and also the Olympic Games. (Wikipedia)
Three players have committed to play so far: Janelle Salaün (France), Cecilia Zandalasini (Italy), and Julie Vanloo (Belgium).
The Valkyries announced the return of forward Leaticia Amihere, who was released from the roster before the season started. They also added the 31-year-old veteran guard Aerial Powers on Tuesday afternoon.
Amihere made an impact during the two preseason games she played in. She led the team in minutes off the bench and had 20 points against the Sparks. Fans were shocked to find out she was cut from the final roster.
Following her return, she made a funny TikTok with the team joking about her ‘awkward return’:
During practice on Thursday, Amihere said it felt like home when she returned to the locker room with the team. “Honestly, everyone has welcomed me with open arms. Something in my heart told me I was going to be back here.”
Head coach Natalie Nakase also said it’s great to have her back in the rotation because she’s able to pick back up as if nothing changed.
Powers was drafted by the Dallas Wings fifth overall in the 2016 WNBA Draft and received WNBA All-Rookie Team honors following her debut season. She won a championship in 2019 with the Washington Mystics, but has suffered multiple injuries since then.
In 2020 she suffered a hamstring injury limiting her to six games, and the following year she tore the UCL in her right thumb. In 2023 she had an ongoing ankle sprain and played only half the season.
Powers adds a veteran presence and rebounding off the bench, which will fit right in with the Valkyries defensive mindset and culture. Golden State is currently second in the WNBA averaging 37.4 rebounds per game, and third in offensive rebounds averaging 10.4 per game.
Powers shared an emotional story about telling her parents she got the call to join Golden State. “My mom yelled ‘ah!’ and jumped at me. For my dad, I said, ‘Let’s go watch my team play.’ You’re lying, you got a call?” She replied, “Yeah I got a call. Everybody was so happy. A moment of just wow. My whole family kept our faith, and I kept working hard, kept grinding.”
