Fever Part Ways with Fagbenie in WNBA Expansion Draft

SAN FRANCISCO — The Indiana Fever have parted ways with center Temi Fagbenie, who has been selected by the new Golden State Valkyries in the WNBA Expansion Draft. The Valkyries made their pick during Friday night’s draft after the Fever chose not to include her among their six protected players.

Fagbenie had a solid season with the Fever, averaging 6.4 points and 4.7 rebounds over 22 games. Notably, she won a WNBA championship during her rookie season with Minnesota.

The Valkyries also made several other strategic selections, picking center Iliana Rupert from Atlanta, guards Veronica Burton from Connecticut and Carla Leite from Dallas, as well as forward Maria Conde from Chicago. These players will form the foundation of the new Bay Area franchise set to debut next season.

Completing their roster of 11 players, Golden State added Las Vegas guard Kate Martin; forwards Steph Talbot of Los Angeles, Cecilia Zandalasini of Minnesota, Kayla Thornton of New York, and Monique Billings of Phoenix; along with Washington guard Julie Vanloo. Notably, they opted not to select any player from Seattle.

Thornton is coming off a successful stint that contributed to the Liberty's WNBA title victory. Meanwhile, Martin, a second-round draft pick this year who previously played alongside Caitlin Clark at Iowa, is poised for an increased role after averaging just 11.5 minutes and 2.6 points as a rookie.

“It’s a pretty cool opportunity. I feel really grateful to be a part of it. It’s a part of history, a new WNBA team,” Martin said. “They haven’t had an expansion draft in a really long time. It’s something super cool to be a part of...I feel really grateful that they chose me.”

The Valkyries are gearing up for an active free agency period beginning in February and have conducted thorough scouting and discussions about how each player would fit into their system.

“It’s a long process but it’s also a great process for us,” said coach Natalie Nakase. “We kind of did this cycle where we collaborate, discuss...and finally we decided on the best players that fit our culture.”

This marks the first expansion draft in the WNBA in 16 years since the Atlanta Dream joined the league in 2008.

The Valkyries were permitted to acquire contracts or negotiating rights for one player from each of the other 12 WNBA teams and can also choose one eligible unrestricted free agent.

Home games will be held at Chase Center—the five-year-old venue for the Golden State Warriors—while practices will take place across the bay at Oakland's training facility.