WNBA: Valkyries ready to navigate challenge of EuroBasket absences

The Golden State Valkyries are currently eighth in the WNBA standings with a 4-5 record—not bad for an expansion franchise with no superstars.

The Valkyries are a TEAM, and they’re playing like one. By the end of the season, they might have created some of their own big names. Team chemistry, however, is going to be impacted by some inevitable roster decisions.

Laeticia Amihere rejoined the Valkyries after the team waived Belgian Kyara Linskens, whose one point and 1.5 rebound averages across four games should be easy to replace.

At 28, Linskens got her first chance to play in the WNBA and head coach Natalie Nakase found it hard to incorporate the talents of the 6-foot-4 big into the rotation. This shows a greater trend in the W, with the league preferring smaller, quicker and more versatile players, such as Amihere, who was cut prematurely. As she proved during the offseason when playing in the WNBL, Amihere is worthy of another chance in the league. Playing for the Perth Lynx, she averaged 26.3 minutes per game, registering 15.5 points, 6.3 boards, 1.7 assists, 1.6 blocks and 1.7 steals. Any team would be happy to have a player like that, and it seems the Valkyries have finally done the right thing.

Julie Vanloo’s impact, in contrast, will be harder to replace. She is temporarily leaving to participate with the Belgian National Team in EuroBasket Women, which begins June 18 and extends through June 29. Having played in every game, Vanloo averages 20 minutes a night, scoring 4.1 points and distributing 4.1 assists.

To fill her shoes, as well as step in for Cecilia Zandalasini, who’ll also be playing in the competition for Italy, the Valkyries brought in Aerial Powers. At 31, Powers is an established veteran, who also has played in China and Turkey. She was a 2019 WNBA champion with the Washington Mystics, where she was the team’s top reserve and played almost 20 minutes per game.

More players—Temi Fagbenle (Great Britain), Janelle Salaün (France) and Carla Leite (Spain)—are expected to depart for EuroBasket. But it’s not like the Valkyries weren’t ready for that. For now, they know who they’ve got and they’re probably happy about it.