The mass cuts have begun as WNBA groups finalize their rosters right now. With the season beginning on Friday, opening day rosters are due simply 24 hours earlier than tip-off. Whereas plenty of the cuts have been harsh however considerably anticipated, one group continues to baffle WNBA followers.
Maybe unsurprisingly, the toughest group to foretell has been the growth franchise with the shortest transaction historical past: The Golden State Valkyries.
First, it was their determination throughout their growth draft, selecting to go predominantly worldwide with their picks. The general public they drafted in December had been untested within the WNBA, resulting in questions concerning the route they had been going.
Then got here the 2025 WNBA Draft, when the Valkyries used their No. 5 decide to draft and stash one other European participant, Juste Jocyte. Jocyte won’t be coming to the US for the WNBA season. They used their second-round draft decide to decide on Shyanne Vendor, who ended up being the primary participant they waived in coaching camp. One other shock to WNBA followers.
Rookie cuts are regular within the WNBA, although, so regardless of the concept Sellers may get well from her obvious damage and develop with the Valkyries, followers may recover from that reduce. However Golden State’s newest rumored determination nonetheless has some scratching their heads in confusion.
Canadian Olympian and 2022 No. 8 general draft decide Laeticia Amihere posted a tweet on Wednesday afternoon, thanking the Valkyries for the chance. Although cryptic, it reads like Amihere had been reduce from the roster forward of opening night time.
Thanks fams and everybody for the love ❤️ to God be the glory and thanks Valkyries for the chance
— Laeticia Amihere (@_Theblackqueen_) Might 14, 2025
Amihere was drafted to the Atlanta Dream after successful a Nationwide Championship at South Carolina. The Mississauga, Ontario native has additionally been a long-time staple of the Canadian Senior Ladies’s Nationwide group, competing with the group on the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Paris Olympic Video games. After three seasons in Atlanta, Amihere had nonetheless not cracked the group’s rotation regardless of being a strong position participant on her nationwide group.
Through the 2024-2025 offseason, the Dream introduced they’d waived Amihere, and he or she was picked up off waivers by the Valkyries. In Golden State’s first preseason sport, Amihere scored a group excessive 20 factors on 7-11 photographs from the sphere. She was broadly anticipated to change into a core a part of the Valkyries’ rotation of their first season as a WNBA franchise. Not less than till she posted the message above.
Shortly after, the Golden State Valkyries introduced their ultimate roster, and Amihere was certainly reduce.
It’s one other complicated determination from the Valkyries. With greater than half of the WNBA on expiring contracts this season, Golden State had the prospect to lock in Amihere on her present wage by way of the 2026 season. Particularly essential given the brand new CBA will greater than probably see wage minimums rise as quickly as subsequent season, this can be a determination we’ll must study extra about to completely make sense of.