The Golden State Valkyries held their expansion draft on Friday, which allowed them to pick one player from each team in the league. They selected forward Stephanie Talbot from the Los Angeles Sparks.
During last season, the Sparks announced that she had signed an extension, keeping her on the team through 2025.
After signing her extension, Talbot said, “I’m glad I found a home in LA with a coaching staff and organization that trust me as much as I trust them…I look forward to helping my teammates and the Sparks return to championship form.”
Now, the 6’2 forward will be part of the inaugural season for the Valkyries, bringing her six-year experience to a fresh new team full of talented women ready to build something special for the Bay Area. Talbot has averaged 4.6 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.5 assists for her career while shooting 43% from the field and 36% from behind the arc.
Last season, Talbot averaged 3.5 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. She shot 39.5% from the field and 26% from behind the arc. She also played for Australia in the Olympics. In the bronze medal-winning game, she played 28 minutes and ended with six points, seven rebounds, four assists, and a block.
The other picks for the Valkyries:
The Valkyries kick off their season at home against the Sparks on May 16th. More notable matchups: their first matchup against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever is on June 19th at home, and their first matchup against the defending champion New York Liberty is on June 25th at home.
