NFL
By: Ashmere Prasad
May 14, San Francisco — The Valkyries made their final roster cuts before the home opener on Friday evening, releasing third-round pick Kaitlyn Chen from UConn, Chloe Bibby, Elissa Cunane, Migna Touré, and Laeticia Amihere.
Introducing the 2025 Golden State Valkyries — a roster built to rise, built to battle, and built for the Bay.
History starts now ✨? pic.twitter.com/FAYFGozMMl
— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) May 14, 2025
Unfortunately, because of limited roster spots in the WNBA rookies tend to be cut before the season.
Chen received a warm welcome from the Valkyries fanbase upon her arrival. During her time in the Bay, she threw the first pitch at a Giants game on May 1st and at the first preseason game against the Sparks, she was greeted with a loud roar at Chase Center.
During the preseason press conference coach Natalie Nakase said Chen is, ‘fearless on the floor but also a guard you can trust to make the right plays.’
Following the WNBA draft, Amihere was added to the Valkyries initial roster after she was waived by the Atlanta Dream.
Fans have expressed their concerns with Amihere being waived as the 23-year-old had 20 PTS and was 7/11 from the field during their game against the LA Sparks. Although it was the team’s first time playing together, many felt Amihere’s performance earned her a spot on the roster. Amihere confirmed her departure with a tweet yesterday morning.
Thank you fams and everyone for the love ❤️ to God be the glory and thank you Valkyries for the opportunity ??
— Laeticia Amihere (@_Theblackqueen_) May 14, 2025
Laeticia Amihere not making this roster after having a 20-point preseason game is the most mind-boggling decision of the entire WNBA preseason for me.
I haven’t understood anything the Valkyries have done so far… https://t.co/XbYoYn35f5
— Matt Dowell (@MattDowellTV) May 14, 2025
The Valkyries have not announced when their first-round draft pick, Justė Jocytė, the Lithuanian guard, will join the roster. She is planning to play with the national team until mid-season. The current roster is now without any picks from the 2025 draft. The Valkyries released Shyanne Sellers nearly two weeks ago after drafting her in the second round.
The Valkyries roster is a combination of veteran talent, including Kayla Thornton and Tiffany Hayes mixed with younger talent such as Kate Martin and Carla Leite, who were among the first six players the Valkyries selected in December’s expansion draft. (SF Standard) The Valkyries will take the floor for their first official game of the season on Friday, May 16 at 7 PM at Chase Center.
