The expansion draft on Friday for the incoming Valkyries — the WNBA’s newest team set to begin play in 2025 — was the league’s first since 2008.
The Valkyries selected Maria Conde from the Sky. She was drafted by the Sky out of Florida State in the third round of the 2019 draft, but has yet to play a minute in the WNBA.
Each team was able to protect six players, allowing the Valkyries to select up to 12 players, one unprotected player from all 12 franchises, to fill out their inaugural roster. Of those selections, only one could be an unrestricted free agent, whom the Valkyries could tag using the core designation.
The Sky’s no negotiable protected players were Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso, Elizabeth Williams and Michaela Onyenwere. Their final two protections were unclear, although it’s assumed they protected Chennedy Carter and either Dana Evans or Rachel Banham.