The WNBA held its first expansion draft since 2008 on Friday night as the Golden State Valkyries prepare to enter the league next season.
Everything happened fairly quickly. Prior to the draft, teams selected which players they would protect from being picked by the Valkyries, so the expansion club had plenty of time to research its selections ahead of Friday night’s broadcast on ESPN.
But still, fans and media covering the league didn’t really know what was coming. So, there was suspense, surprise and shock at some of the picks.
One selection that many fans were stunned by was Carla Leite being picked from the Dallas Wings.
And not because Leite isn’t a good player – but because folks couldn’t believe that Dallas didn’t protect her.
Dallas didn’t protect Carla Leite?????????????????????????
— Hunter Cruse (@HunterCruse14) December 6, 2024
these franchises really undervalue international players https://t.co/PVkSsu5w4V
— ٰ (@aclassyteaparty) December 6, 2024
my god. Carla Leite is NOT the couch you leave outside your apartment.
— Seerat Sohi (@seeratsohi) December 6, 2024
Dallas didn’t protect Carla Leite?!?! 💀😭 pic.twitter.com/m65t8uW0de
— Illuminari (@ForGoodAri) December 6, 2024
Leite hasn’t taken a dribble in the WNBA since being selected ninth overall by the Wings in the 2024 draft. The 5-foot-9 French guard opted to stay overseas this season and continue to play professionally in her native country, where she was one of the final players cut from France’s Olympic roster this summer. But at 20-years-old, she’s a player with a lot of upside. In the 2023 FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship, she averaged 18.4 points and 4.3 assists per game – winning the MVP – while helping France win the title.
Make no mistake, Leite wants to play in the WNBA. She said as much to The Next in a 2023 interview. That Dallas didn’t hang onto her for a potential backcourt pairing with Paige Bueckers seems insane.
“I want to go play in the WNBA, I think it’s a style of play that suits me.”
The Golden State Valkyries now own the rights to Leite. Fans of her will have to wait and see if she decides to come to the W for the 2025 season.
