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Inside the 2026 Golden State Valkyries active roster
After an exciting inaugural campaign in 2025, the Bay Area’s latest pro franchise is ready to make serious noise in Year 2. Head coach Natalie Nakase spent the offseason meticulously fine-tuning the Golden State Valkyries roster, blending battle-tested veterans with promising young talent to build a genuine playoff contender in the highly competitive Western Conference.
To help you track the team’s ongoing evolution, I’ve compiled all the essential details in one place. Keep scrolling to find the current active Valkyries roster, up-to-date injury report, and a breakdown of the front-office personnel leading Golden State this season.
WNBA - Golden State Valkyries Roster
| # | Player | Position | Height | Age | Birth place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 | Laeticia Amihere | F | 6'3" | 24 | Mississauga, Canada |
22 | Veronica Burton | G | 5'9" | 25 | Newton, MA |
6 | Kaila Charles | G | 6'1" | 28 | Glenn Dale, MD |
2 | Kaitlyn Chen | G | 5'9" | 24 | San Marino, CA |
15 | Tiffany Hayes | G | 5'10" | 36 | Lakeland, FL |
4 | Juste Jocyte | G | 6'0" | 20 | — |
20 | Kate Martin | G | 6'0" | 25 | Edwardsville, IL |
12 | Iliana Rupert | C | 6'4" | 24 | — |
13 | Janelle Salaun | F | 6'2" | 24 | — |
41 | Kiah Stokes | C | 6'3" | 33 | Cedar Rapids, IA |
0 | Kokoro Tanaka | G | 5'8" | 20 | — |
5 | Kayla Thornton | F | 6'1" | 33 | El Paso, TX |
1 | Gabby Williams | F | 5'11" | 29 | Sparks, NV |
24 | Cecilia Zandalasini | F | 6'2" | 30 | Milan, Italy |
Top Valkyries players to watch
When evaluating Golden State’s offense, veteran forward Kayla Thornton stands out as a key contributor. Anchoring the scoring and rebounding effort, the recent All-Star selection provides reliable production and stability in the frontcourt. She’s joined on the wing by Gabby Williams, who impacts the game across the board with steady rebounding, playmaking, and scoring.
Running the offense from the perimeter is guard Veronica Burton. Serving as the team’s primary facilitator, Burton distributes the ball efficiently while also providing a reliable scoring punch in the backcourt.
Current Valkyries injury report
WNBA - Golden State Valkyries Injury Report
| Player | Status | Expected return | Injury | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Kate Martin | day-to-day | May 8 | Right Quadriceps (Strain) | The Valkyries announced Tuesday that Martin has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 right quad strain and will be re-evaluated in a week, Sara Jane Gamelli of BallisLife.com reports. |
Cecilia Zandalasini | day-to-day | May 8 | Not Injury Related | Zandalasini is not with the team and did not play in Saturday's 78-76 preseason win over the Storm. |
Gabby Williams | day-to-day | May 8 | Rest | day-to-day |
Juste Jocyte | day-to-day | May 8 | Not Injury Related | Jocyte is not with the team and did not play in Saturday's 78-76 preseason win over the Storm. |
Kaila Charles | day-to-day | May 8 | Not Injury Related | Charles is not with the team and did not play in Saturday's 78-76 preseason win over the Storm. |
Golden State Valkyries coaching staff & front office
- General Manager: Ohemaa Nyanin
- Head Coach: Natalie Nakase
- Assistant Coach: Kasib Powell
- Assistant Coach: Sugar Rodgers
- Assistant Coach: Landon Tatum
- Player Development: Sidney Parsons
- Athletic Trainers: Katelin Knox, Allison DeKuiper

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Golden State Valkyries roster FAQ
Who's the head coach of the Valkyries?
Natalie Nakase is the head coach of the Golden State Valkyries, leading the franchise in its second official season. Previously, Nakase was an assistant coach with the Las Vegas Aces.
Who's the highest-paid player on the Valkyries?
Veteran wing Gabby Williams currently commands the highest salary on the Golden State payroll. The franchise heavily invested in her elite two-way skillset and international experience to help anchor the roster.
What's the average age of the Valkyries roster?
The average age of the Golden State Valkyries is approximately 26. There are only four players 30 years or older on the roster.
Who owns the Golden State Valkyries?
The Golden State Valkyries are owned by Joe Lacob and Peter Guber. The ownership duo also operates the NBA's Golden State Warriors, sharing Chase Center in San Francisco.
CableTV.com editors created this article using original analysis and proprietary inputs, with AI tools assisting in drafting. The final content was reviewed and edited for accuracy and quality.