The Golden State Valkyries have officially revealed their roster for their highly anticipated inaugural season in the WNBA. Basketball fans across the Bay Area are eager to see how this newly-formed team will compete. Let’s break down the finalized Golden State Valkyries roster, analyze notable decisions, and highlight what fans can expect this year.

The Finalized Golden State Valkyries Roster

The Valkyries, based in San Francisco, have shaped their opening day roster after a competitive preseason. Like all WNBA teams, their roster is capped at 12 players. This makes the selection process fiercely competitive and often leads to tough decisions. Ahead of their debut game against the Los Angeles Sparks, the Valkyries made several roster cuts that drew attention both locally and internationally.

Notable Cuts: Kaitlyn Chen and Others

One of the most significant moves came just before the start of the season. The team waived Kaitlyn Chen, who made history earlier this year as the first Taiwanese-American drafted by a WNBA team. Despite an impressive college career and promising preseason play, Chen was released along with four other players. For more on her impact and what led to this decision, Focus Taiwan provides in-depth coverage on how the Golden State Valkyries roster was shaped and who narrowly missed out.

Kaitlyn Chen’s journey from Princeton to UConn and finally to the WNBA draft captured the attention of basketball fans everywhere. She made her debut with the Valkyries during their preseason games, but the fierce competition for roster spots proved challenging. As explained in The Hartford Courant’s report, Chen was not alone—other recent draft picks, including Laeticia Amihere and previous top picks, were also waived.

Roster Building: A Different Expansion Strategy

Unlike most new franchises that build around younger talent, the Golden State Valkyries roster shows a strategic preference for experienced players. Their selection strategy sets them apart from other expansion teams in professional sports. Rather than focusing on recent draftees, they chose a lineup of seasoned athletes ready to compete in the league immediately. This bold approach could lead to early success—but it also comes with risks, as there will be fewer opportunities for rookies to redefine the roster during the season.

The typical challenges facing expansion teams—team chemistry, gaining league experience, and balancing youth with veteran presence—are front and center for the Valkyries this season. With only 156 spots available across all 13 WNBA teams in 2025, every roster decision carries significant weight.

The Path Forward

The Golden State Valkyries roster is now set, and anticipation is growing for their WNBA debut. Fans will have their eyes on how this unique mix of players performs on the court. The team’s decision to prioritize experience could pay dividends in their challenging opening games. For ongoing updates and deeper insights, be sure to check resources like Focus Taiwan’s coverage on Valkyries roster decisions and The Hartford Courant’s analysis.

Conclusion

The journey to build the perfect Golden State Valkyries roster hasn’t been easy. Many talented players have had to say goodbye for now, but the team is poised to make their mark in the WNBA. Keep following the Valkyries this season to see how their inaugural roster shapes the future of women’s basketball in the Bay Area.