After a third straight win on Saturday, the Golden State Valkyries were busy with player moves on Sunday. Temi Fagbenle is the last player who will be leaving for EuroBasket and she departed on Sunday so her contract is temporarily suspended like the other three players who have departed for their national teams. The team was also able to sign two additional players and took that opportunity to bring back Chloe Bibby and Kaitlyn Chen after they participated in training camp. Having players with familiarity with their teammates and the system should help them be able to contribute if needed in upcoming games.
Chloe Bibby
The Valkyries have been running smallball lineups consistently and Chloe Bibby could help provide additional offensive punch from the power forward spot. The possibility that she would be one of the first calls for the team was telegraphed after she was waived. Other Australian players who did not make final rosters quickly returned home and joined NBL1 teams as their seasons are running at this time, but Bibby did not join any teams. She is scheduled to join Australia’s national team for July’s Asia Cup if she is not under WNBA contract at the time.
Kaitlyn Chen
With Carla Leite playing heavy minutes alongside Veronica Burton in the last game, a third point guard has also become a positional need for the Valkyries until Julie Vanloo returns so Kaitlyn Chen was a logical choice to give them an additional option there. Chen did agree to participate in an upcoming 3×3 event put on by the 3XBA at the end of the month, but this is obviously an opportunity that both sides are happy for her to take right now.
Temi Fagbenle
After Saturday’s game, Temi Fagbenle departed to join Great Britain’s national team for EuroBasket. The Valkyries would be able to sign a player after Tuesday’s game to back to a twelve player roster. Great Britain will have quite a battle to advance so she could also be the first player to return. That might mean that the Valkyries decide not to fill the spot if she only misses two games, but a third player who could play center in emergencies would also be useful.
Leave a Reply