Ohemaa Nyanin hasn’t slept long, but she slept well.

It’s 9:50 a.m. PT on Saturday, but when taking the video call, the general manager of the Golden State Valkyries is bright-eyed, smiling and excited. It’s been a hectic couple of days. The expansion draft concluded Friday, but the real work has only just began. She’s dressed in team colors, as just a couple of days ago, the Valkyries unveiled their jerseys, which “are a visual interpretation of who Valkyries are: fierce, bold and strong,” as described by the organization’s senior vice president of marketing and communications, Kimberly Veale.

Will the players selected by Nyanin and her team match those qualities? Time will tell. At the moment she’s “cautiously optimistic” about what people think about the team.

In speaking with Swish Appeal, Nyanin shared her thoughts on the international players the team selected, as well as one player who’s currently turning heads in Australia in the WNBL, Veronica Burton. Burton, who spent last season with the Connecticut Sun, is playing twice as many minutes as she was getting in the WNBA. Her numbers are up and so is her accuracy from the floor, and her team is undefeated. When asked how much Burton’s play for the Bendigo Spirit influenced the decision to select her compared to Burton’s limited minutes on the Sun, Nyanin said:

It was a combination of the two. When Tyasha Harris was injured, we got to see her play more this season. And the WNBL is getting stronger and stronger every year, and seeing her get big minutes also played a big part in our decision. We know she’s a hard worker, she seems to play the game with joy and wants to be good at it. Those are the things we want in our players.

Australian Stephanie Talbot is another draftee who is playing in the WNBL this season. She’s a legend and a veteran in her home country, who will be equally as important off the court as on it with Golden State. Watching the former Los Angeles Spark play in person at the Paris Olympics, Nyanin was impressed with Talbot’s basketball IQ and defense. Every member of the newly-assembled Valkyries will be expected to contribute, especially veterans like Talbot and Temi Fagbenle, who was selected from the Indiana Fever. Asked about the latter, Nyanin reveals more of her team-building philosophy:

Vanja Černivec [Valkyrie’s Vice President of Basketball Operations] was the GM of the London Lions last season, when Temi won the EuroCup with them. That’s why I have Vanja and Natalie, because they have the relationships that I don’t. Vanja gave us a lot of perspective on who Temi is, what can she bring on the court and we heard how great her impact on the Indiana locker room was. Our emphasis is always going to be: How can we bring competitive, great athletes to this team? Athletes who are versatile and ready to play. When somebody get’s injured, “next up,” who can play next.

The counterbalance to the two veterans may be two European rookies, Maria Conde and Carla Leite. Conde is 27 years old and was drafted in the third round of the 2019 WNBA Draft by the Chicago Sky. She’s currently having the best season of her career in Prague for ZVVZ USK Praha, remaining in the running for EuroLeague Women MVP. If there’s a time for her to come to the W, it’s now.

Leite is 20 years old and has been a pro for only two years, but already has shown tons of potential. It seems that the Dallas Wings, who selected her No. 9 overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft, really dropped the ball by not keeping her protected. In the case of both players, Nyanin repeats the phrase “mutually beneficial” about whether they’ll come to the States and suit up for the Valkyries in 2025:

We didn’t have time to have legitimate conversations with these players, but we want our athletes to make the decisions that are best for them. Both of these athletes are playing elite basketball right now and any opportunity we can get to bring them in and get them to understand Coach Natalie’s philosophy will be great for us.

Iliana Rupert, who was selected from the Atlanta Dream but spent 2024 preparing for the Olympics with the French national team, was targeted by team partially due to her former relationship with head coach Natalie Nakase, as the two won the 2022 WNBA championship with the Las Vegas Aces. Nyanin primarily focuses on Rupert’s adaptability, skill set and work ethic. The same goes for Cecilia Zandalasini, who’s seen as way more than a 3-point shooter. She was picked from the Minnesota Lynx because there’s a shared belief within the organization that Nakase’s system will allow her to showcase more of her skills.

Last but not least, there’s Julie Vanloo, the Belgian point guard, who at age 31 decided to give the WNBA a shot and played for the Washington Mystics in 2024. Asked about whether she envisions Vanloo as a starting point guard or a mentor to younger guards, Nyanin replies:

I envision a very competitive training camp. The training camp will help us envision what sort of team we will have. She won the gold medal at EuroBasket [in 2023], now she’s playing well oversees. And we like her drive to win! She’s ultra-competitive, she works very hard and we definitely see her as a part of the team.

While fans—and fans of international basketball in particular—can get excited for this versatile roster to take the floor next year, Nyanin stresses that we can’t overlook the human aspect of team-building:

All of these athletes probably hoped that they were going to stay with their teams. They trusted their teams. And our first order of business will be to make them trust our organization and prove that we want to establish a mutually beneficial relationship with them.

On Thursday, we had 10 games in the SEC/ACC Challenge, and when the dust settled, the SEC won 10-6 across both days of the competition.

Here’s a rundown of the results from the six most interesting games, as well as how we ended up with the SEC running away with the second-annual inter-conference event:

Gamecocks still rule

No. 3 South Carolina dominated No. 8 Duke, winning 81-70. The opening quarter was as one-sided as a period can be. The Gamecocks outscored the Blue Devils 28-12 during the first 10 minutes and never looked back.

Chloe Kitts scored 21 points while shooting 9-for-14 from the field. She also grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the team in both statistical categories.

Notre Dame gets back in the groove

No. 10 Notre Dame was desperate for a win on Thursday after losing back-to-back games. It took overtime to get it done, but Notre Dame made sure it wouldn’t suffer a third-consecutive loss by beating a good No. 4 Texas team, 80-70.

And they got it done thanks to Hannah Hidalgo, who went off and scored a game-high 30 points. However, she wasn’t a one-woman show, as both Sonia Citron and Olivia Miles scored 18 points in the win.

Texas pushed hard in the fourth thanks to some late-quarter points by Rori Harmon, in addition to Madison Booker’s 20-point game, but they ran out of gas in overtime, and Notre Dame was able to secure the upset win.

LSU avoids disaster

Stanford entered the fourth quarter up 57-52, putting them just 10 minutes away from beating No. 5 LSU and achieving the biggest upset of the SEC/ACC Challenge.

Unfortunately for them, Flau’jae Johnson and Mikaylah Williams scored 16 points in the fourth to rally back and force overtime.

In the extended period, Williams hit a critical 3-pointer with 38 seconds to go to put the lead out of Stanford’s reach for good. Good teams find a way to win, and that’s what LSU did.

North Carolina cruises pass Kentucky

The Tar Heels surprised many by dominating the Wildcats 72-53. The game was essentially over in the first half, largely due to the second quarter, where No. 16 North Carolina outscored No. 14 Kentucky, 15-9.

Three Tar Heel starters scored in double figures, and the bench stepped up big, contributing 16 points compared to two for the Wildcats. The victory will undoubtedly place UNC over Kentucky in the next AP poll. In this contest, Maria Gakdeng scored 18 points, pushing her past the career mark of 1,000 points.

Cal shocks us all

Perhaps this season will become a year of tremendous growth for California basketball. This was an impressive 69-65 win over No. 19 Alabama.

Kayla Williams came up big for the Golden Bears in this game, scoring 21 points, including a critical field goal during clutch time, to edge out the Crimson Tide. The win likely won’t put Cal in the top 25, but it does put the basketball world on notice that the 8-1 squad is dangerous.

Wolfpack survive Rebels’ comeback

No. 18 Ole Miss rallied late, going on a 17-4 run to start the fourth to get within four points of NC State. Both teams exchanged baskets for multiple possessions, but the Wolfpack hung on by knocking down four straight free throws to win 68-61.

The upset was brought to you by the quartet of Zoe Brooks, Aziaha James, Saniya Rivers and Zamareya Jones, all of whom scored in double figures. Jones, in particular, shined, scoring 14 off the bench and missing just one shot.

In the end, the SEC winning two-day challenge demonstrated they have the top talent. There is plenty of time left in the season, and March is when it all comes to a head, but right now, the SEC is and remains the queens of the court.

Saturday night, Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY hosts the inaugural Women’s Champions Classic.

The opening game between the Tennessee Lady Vols and No. 17 Iowa Hawkeyes (7 p.m. ET) will serve as the appetizer for the event’s main course, when the No. 22 Louisville Cardinals will challenge the No. 2 UConn Huskies (9 p.m. ET). Both games will be broadcast on FOX.

Expect a big game from player-edition Paige, UConn

The evening should serve as a showcase for the Huskies and their headliner, the presumptive No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, Paige Bueckers. Bueckers has been characteristically brilliant for undefeated UConn in her redshirt senior season, shooting over 60 percent from the field while averaging more than 20 points per game. Bueckers likewise leads the Huskies with 4.7 assists per game.

Saturday also will mark the official debut of Bueckers’ player-edition Nike GT Hustle 3. She’s the first college athlete with her own, dedicated colorway.

Among other personal details, the shoes include a mantra repeated to Bueckers by her dad: “Be You, Be Great.” So, expect greatness from Bueckers in her new baby blues under the bright lights of Barclays.

That’s unfortunate for Louisville. This is the Cardinals’ fourth matchup of the still-young season against a ranked team. Thus far, they’re 0-3, most recently fumbling away a double-digit advantage over No. 11 Oklahoma in the SEC/ACC Challenge. The difficult schedule, with no game more daunting than Saturday’s showdown with the Huskies, should equip the Cardinals well for March, with the tough losses becoming valuable lessons for head coach Jeff Walz to impart to his young team, which features six freshmen in the team’s rotation.

To have a chance to hang with Huskies, one of those youngsters, such as guard Tajianna Roberts, who leads the Cardinals in minutes and points per game, has to be one of the best players on the floor, or at least the best freshman. Of course, against UConn, that’s a huge ask, especially as Sarah Strong separates herself as the nation’s best freshman—and the next foundational star in Storrs. Strong is coming off her most productive game of the season, scoring a season-high 22 points as she shot 75 percent from the field and 4-for-5 from 3. Her seven boards, two assists and two steals also helped the Huskies overcome a sluggish first half to hammer Holy Cross.

On top of Bueckers and Strong, grad guard Azzi Fudd could deliver a sparkling shooting performance, while sophomore guards KK Arnold and Ashlynn Shade can provide two-way playmaking (from Arnold) and even more knockdown shooting (from Shade).

In short, don’t be surprised when the Huskies run away with this one.

New coaches, new styles clash in Iowa-Tennessee

The opening game profiles as a more competitive contest between two still-undefeated squads.

As our Zachary Draves has emphasized, Iowa, long known as a fast-paced scoring machine, is winning with defense under new head coach Jan Jensen. This new identity will be put to the test against Tennessee, as the Lady Vols might have replaced the Hawkeyes as one of the nation’s most fearsome offensive forces under their new head coach, Kim Caldwell. The Lady Vols arrive in New York fresh off a thrilling, if imperfect, win over Florida State in the SEC/ACC Challenge; it will be the Hawkeyes’ first game in over a week, when they last defeated BYU at the Cancun Challenge.

Game information

Tennessee Lady Vols (6-0) vs. No. 17 Iowa Hawkeyes (8-0)

When: Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. ET

Where: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY

How to watch: FOX

No. 22 Louisville Cardinals (5-3) vs. No. 2 UConn Huskies (7-0)

When: Saturday, Dec. 7 at 9 p.m. ET

Where: Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY

How to watch: FOX

The Golden State Valkyries held their expansion draft on Friday, Dec. 6, and did so in style. Celebrities Michelle Wie West, E-40 and Baron Davis announced the names of the players the expansion team poached from other teams. In the end, they took one player from each team, with the exception of the Seattle Storm.

The drama was made for TV, and it delivered. There were surprises, and some popular players will now call the Bay Area home. Here are the eleven players the Valkyries have selected from around the WNBA and what they can bring to Golden State:

Iliana Rupert (Atlanta Dream)

Rupert’s career averages are 2.7 points and 2.1 rebounds during her two seasons in the WNBA. The center has bounced around the league, playing for the Aces in 2022, the Dream in 2023 and, after sitting out the 2024 to prepare for the Olympics with the France, will be a Valkyrie in 2025.

Maria Conde (Chicago Sky)

The Sky drafted Conde in 2019, but she has yet to play in a WNBA game. Instead, she’s remained overseas playing for ZVVZ USK Praha, where she is averaging 14.8 points per game in EuroLeague Women play and was named the competition’s MVP for the month of November.

Veronica Burton (Connecticut Sun)

Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase mentioned on-air during the draft that the team wanted 3-point shooters, and Burton fits that role. The three-year guard averaged 35 percent from deep last season, granted on only 1.2 attempts. However, on a new team and in a new system in Golden State, ideally, those numbers can increase in 2025.

Carla Leite (Dallas Wings)

The French guard, selected No. 9 overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft, was one of the players fans seemed surprised wasn’t protected. Leite is coming off a season with Tarbes in the French league, where she averaged 15.8 points, 5.5 assists and 2.5 rebounds and was named an All-Star. Most recently, she’s been playing for Villeneuve d’Ascq—and new Sun head coach Rachid Meziane—in EuroLeague Women, although the club did not advance to the competition’s second round.

Wings fans already were envisioning a backcourt of Leite and Paige Bueckers, and while Bueckers is still very much in play with Dallas having the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, Leite is gone.

Kate Martin (Las Vegas Aces)

Las Vegas is stacked with talent, and with teams only able to protect six players, someone of quality was bound to be gone.

Martin is the player the Valkyries have selected, taking the popular rookie away from the Aces. Though her averages were a modest 2.6 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.9 assists per game, she was loved by fans and players alike.

Temi Fagbenle (Indiana Fever)

Fagbenle being left unprotected makes no sense. Along with Caitlin Clark, she was at the heart of everything good happening for the Indiana Fever.

The center will likely be a starter for Golden State when the 2025 WNBA season begins.

Cecilia Zandalasini (Minnesota Lynx)

Zandalasini had a respectable season with the Lynx in 2024, averaging 4.6 points, 1.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game. The Italian forward provides experience and good size for the Valkyries.

Stephanie Talbot (Los Angeles Sparks)

The Sparks guard is heading to NorCal after a year in which she averaged 3.5 points, 2.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. She’s not a flashy player but is an experienced veteran who can help establish Golden State’s culture.

Kayla Thornton (New York Liberty)

The 2024 WNBA champion New York Liberty couldn’t keep everyone, and now Thornton is off to the West Coast. She played 20.2 minutes per game for the Liberty in 2024 and was a player who was the heart and soul of the Liberty, always doing the grunt work that impacted winning.

Monique Billings (Phoenix Mercury)

The Valkyries went forward heavy in the expansion draft and added another in Billings. She is currently playing in China and thanked the Wings and Mercury for the opportunities she’s been given as she continues her WNBA career in Golden State.

Julie Vanloo (Washington Mystics)

The Valkyries added another rookie to their arsenal in Vanloo. She has shown flashes of offensive brilliance, including her 17-point performance against the Phoenix Mercury on July 16. She has tremendous upside that Golden State will do its best to unlock.

What’s next for Golden State?

Now, with 11 players on the roster, the Valkyries are beginning to define themselves and what they need.

It’s important to remember that just because they selected these 11 players doesn’t mean all of them will make the roster for 2025. The franchise can waive any player selected in the expansion draft before the season begins, and it wouldn’t affect their salary cap. Golden State can also have four players on their suspended list, so the team they field for their inaugural game against Los Angeles could look very different from the one they have now.

So what’s next for the Valkyries? Well, they’ll have a chance to convince some free agents that the Bay Area is the place to be in early February. They’ve certainly put themselves in a position where they’ll have plenty of financial flexibility to sign players to big contracts.

Following free agency is the WNBA Draft, and Golden State will have the No. 5 overall pick in what is being considered another deep draft.

Friday was a good start for the expansion team. If they can convince some free agents to join what they are building and draft well, they could have a good start to their 2025 campaign.

As first reported by The Chicago Sun-Times, Seattle Storm All-Star Jewell Loyd has requested a trade. The announcement came after an investigation into the Storm coaching staff found no evidence of alleged bullying and harassment.

Loyd was the No. 1 pick in the 2015 WNBA Draft by Seattle out of Notre Dame. She since has blossomed into one of the foremost guards in the league, helping to propel the Storm to two WNBA titles in 2018 and 2020. She’s also become a six-time All-Star, two-time Olympic gold medalist and the WNBA’s 2023 scoring leader. After the 2023 season, she signed a two-year extension with the Storm, a move that has been credited with bringing free agents Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith to Seattle during the 2024 offseason. The Storm finished the 2024 season 25-15 before losing in the first round of the playoffs to the Las Vegas Aces. Loyd averaged 19.7 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.6 assists.

With Loyd’s expected departure, the question beckons: Where is she headed to next?

In the aftermath of the report, Chicago Sky fans took to social media, passionately calling for Loyd to return to her hometown. And it could be a perfect match! Not only do the Sky have two first-round picks in the 2025 WNBA Draft, as well as flexibility in the free agent market, that could help facilitate the acquisition of Loyd, but her perimeter play and leadership skills also would address Chicago’s greatest needs.

New head coach Tyler Marsh has emphasized improving the team’s shooting, which Loyd certainly would provide. Then, there is the hope that she can help strengthen the games of Angel Reese and Kamila Cardoso. Chennedy Carter, if she returns, also could benefit from Loyd, as the two could share offensive initiation responsibilities.

From a family perspective, Loyd’s mother Gwendolyn, a frequent presence at the Sky games, would be courtside cheering on her daughter.

But, there are also factors that would deter Loyd from coming back home. The Sky are coming off an unspectacular 13-24 season that was riddled with periodic losing streaks and injuries. The team also is in a rebuilding stage and unlikely to be a contender in the short term. That contrasts with the other teams cited as possibilities for Loyd, such as the Aces and Indiana Fever. Plus, Loyd is 30 years old and approaching an advanced athletic age, while the Sky are aiming to build around Reese and Cardoso, who are in their early 20s. Loyd also will be a free agent after the 2025 season.