NFL
By: Ashmere Prasad
April 15 – The Valkyries are the first franchise to join the WNBA since the 2008 Atlanta Dream. They made history last night with their 5th pick in the draft, selecting 19-year-old Juste Jocytė. She has an extensive basketball background and has played internationally since she was 13. For the last five years, she has also played against WNBA players. Jocytė is the first Lithuanian drafted into the WNBA since Jurgita Štreimikytė was selected No. 26 overall in 2000. (The Next Hoops)
With the 5th pick in the 2025 #WNBADraft, we select… Juste Jocyte. ✨🪽
Welcome to the Bay, Juste! Let’s get to work.@carmax | Golden State Valkyries Draft pic.twitter.com/zusrMYO7lk
— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) April 15, 2025
Some comments on X were that the Valkyries ‘found their Luka.’ Many were curious how the front office came to this decision as there were many players on the board that could represent the brand-new franchise to the highest level and generate more fans and revenue. A few names that were mentioned: Hailey Van Lith, Aneesah Morrow, and Georgia Amoore.
After some research here is a summary of Jocytė’s strengths and weaknesses:
Strengths
High basketball IQ: as previously mentioned, she’s played with WNBA players since she was 14. Despite her limited minutes, she learned on the sidelines and knew her time to shine was coming.
Shooting confidence: Her shooting mechanics are smooth, her floor vision is advanced, and she’s a true three-level scorer (College Football Network).
Free throws: She is shooting 80% from the line. Every point counts when it’s coming down to the wire.
Weaknesses
Not too explosive: Jocytė is aware of her lack of explosiveness, but she makes up for it by being creative. She finds alternative ways to get to her spot off of ball screens.
Missing some physicality in the paint: She only converted 37.2% of her shots in the paint. That is not going to fare well against some of the toughest defenders in the WNBA.
Although Jocytė is not a ‘franchise player’ in the eyes of the fans, Valkyries GM Ohemaa Nyanin said, “We aren’t looking for the face of our franchise just yet.”
“We need to build our identity, and throughout the season, hopefully, the face of the franchise emerges. I want it to be an organic process. Who is going to earn it? I don’t want it to just be given to anybody.” (USA Today)
Jocytė is a long-term investment, but that is the beauty of joining a new franchise – there is only room for growth for their new roster of players.
The Valkyries selected Shyanne Sellers No. 17th and Kaitlyn Chen No. 30th in the second and third round of the draft. Sellers is a versatile combo guard ready to take on the WNBA by storm. During her four years at Maryland, she was the first player in program history to clear 1,500 points, 500 rebounds, and 500 assists. She is familiar with crucial game time moments and has the chance to win the point guard position for the Valkyries. Her one weakness is the knee injury she suffered in her final season with Maryland.
The senior Huskies who entered the draft were all selected on Monday night: Paige Bueckers 1st overall by Dallas Wings, Chen, and Aubrey Griffin 37th overall by the Minnesota Lynx. Both were there to support Beuckers as the No. 1 draft pick, and they were surprised to hear their names called in the third round. Chen, the California Native, is a 2025 NCAA Champion with Connecticut and was dominant during her time at Princeton.
Kaitlyn Chen’s UConn teammates were hype after she got drafted ❤️ pic.twitter.com/dgcc3AN4rt
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 15, 2025
“I was really just here to watch Paige get drafted, and I’m so happy for her, but it’s been an unreal night.”
Chen was the 2023 Ivy League Player of the Year while at Princeton. She caught the eye of coach Geno Auriemma and transferred to UConn for her senior season and made an immediate impact. She shot 50.3% from the field including 35.1% from three-point range. She is bringing a hard work ethic to the new franchise, which Nyanin said really stood out to them.
Chen is also the first player of Taiwanese descent to win an NCAA title and be drafted into the WNBA.
first taiwanese NCAA champion!
first taiwanese WNBA player!
kaitlyn chen, you are one of one pic.twitter.com/F2RKR6WPxv— fifi | PB5 IS A DALLAS WING (@fifibuckets) April 15, 2025
The Valkyries are looking to make a statement but also bring in talent they believe will create a strong foundation for the new franchise. Training camp will begin April 27, and it will be exciting to see how the Valkyries look before the WNBA and the season begins May 16.
