On Saturday afternoon, the Golden State Valkyries introduced they’d waived guard Shyanne Sellers.
Stunning Information out of the WNBA
The information is head-scratching after Golden State chosen Sellers No. 17 general within the 2025 WNBA Draft. Of their inaugural draft as an growth franchise, the Valkyries moreover drafted Justé Jocyté (Lithuania) No. 5 and Kaitlyn Chen (UConn) No. 30 general. It was shocking to a number of basketball analysts that Sellers fell out of the primary spherical within the draft.
The transfer comes after per week full of coaching camp, and the Valkyries’ first pre-season sport on Might 6 towards the Los Angeles Sparks. To be waived by an growth group, is a bit peculiar to say the least.
The choice by Golden State surprised basketball followers throughout social media, particularly since Sellers was initially tabbed as an early first-round decide. Within the 2025 WNBA Ballislife mock draft, our employees writers chosen Sellers going as early as No. 6 to the Washington Mystics.
In line with ESPN’s Kendra Andrews, the Valkyries’ head coach had extra to say concerning the current transfer.
“She picked up the whole lot we requested her to, did the whole lot that we requested. It’s simply that I’ve to decide on the most effective 12 which can be going to suit. Doesn’t imply it’s essentially the most gifted, it means it’s the most effective 12.”
—Kendra Andrews, ESPN
Shyanne Sellers Was a Standout at Maryland
A four-year standout out from Maryland, the previous Terrapin averaged 12.9 factors, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.5 steals in 120 profession video games. A profession 34.6 % shooter from past the arc, Sellers shot a career-high 40.8 % from the 3-point line her senior yr. Three-time First-Crew All-Massive Ten Sellers was named Massive Ten All-Freshman in 2022. Moreover, the Ohio native was named All-Massive Ten Defensive her junior yr.
Sellars joins Alyssa Thomas, Shakira Austin, Kristi Toliver, and Brionna Jones (amongst a number of others) as one of many all-time greats to play for the Outdated Line State. Sellers completed her collegiate profession ranked third on the all time Terrapins help checklist, and No. 12 general in scoring.
Though she had handled a sprained PCL towards Texas in January, Sellers led the Terrapins to the NCAA Match in all 4 years. An integral a part of Maryland’s Candy 16 run, the Terrapins conceded to the South Carolina, 71-67 within the third spherical. In what is taken into account one of the memorable video games in NCAA ladies’s basketball historical past, Maryland defeated Alabama 111–108 in double additional time.
Talking of the knee damage, Kareem Copeland of The Washington Publish reported Saturday night that ‘Sellers handed medical exams’ each after leaving Maryland and earlier than signing with the Valkyries. Copeland additionally famous that the damage was not a consider Golden State’s determination to waive Sellers
Report: Well being Was Not a Issue within the Valkyries’ Resolution to Waive Shyanne Sellers
The Terrapins have been capable of overcome a 17 level deficit because of Sellers 28-point efficiency. Having shot 8-20 from the sector, Sellers completed 3-8 from past the arc, and 9-9 from the charity stripe.
It was Sellers clutch seven fourth quarter factors that propelled the matchup into additional time. In a backwards and forwards offensive shootout with Alabamas’ Sarah Ashlee Barker, Sellers had 9 factors alone in two additional time intervals.
By way of three NCAA match video games, Sellers averaged 16.7 factors, 4.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.3 steals. Enjoying a mean of 37.5 minutes, Sellers struggled mightly from the sector—taking pictures 34.1 % from the sector, and 23.1 % from downtown.
Set to enter their first WNBA season, the Valkyries are to be led by Tiffany Hayes, Kayla Thornton, Temi Fagbenle, Kate Martin, and Julie Vanloo (simply to call just a few). Though lacking a bona fide star, a number of specialists tabbed Sellers as a popular franchise level guard.
Identified for her defensive prowess, Sellers has distinctive guard peak and flexibility at 6 foot 2 inches. Capable of rating in a wide range of methods, Sellers is a pure born playmaker.
Given there are a slim 156 roster spots within the WNBA, groups are destined to make cuts this week. Though the method has already begun, this was not an anticipated transfer. With that stated groups have till Might 15 to finalize and trim their rosters.
Though Sellers has but to participate in preseason motion, she’s destined to land on a WNBA roster. In any case, it is not the draft quantity, however the place it is smart. Whereas there’s not a transparent rationalization for the choice, she merely could match higher elsewhere.
Beneath are the groups that might greatest use Sellers’ providers whereas additionally growing her and giving the standout one other alternative.
Washington Mystics
The Washington Mystics acquired devastating information this week after No.6 general decide Georgia Amoore is out for the 2026 with an ACL damage. Given Amoore and Sellers have been among the many strongest level guards and facilitators within the draft, the Mystics might use her providers.
Having drafted three first-round picks within the draft (Amoore, Kiki Iriafen, Sonia Citron), newly employed GM Jamila Wideman is clearly dedicated to the rebuild. With Brittney Sykes, Sonia Citron, and Jade Melbourne within the backcourt, what higher place for Sellers? She will be able to make an instantaneous affect behind Slim on the level. After 22 turnovers of their first pre-season sport towards the Fever, it is clear the Mystics lack facilitating.
New York Liberty
This can be a lengthy shot, nevertheless, New York Liberty GM Jonathan Kolb introduced Saturday said Betnijah Laney’s contract is ‘more likely to be suspended’ following a knee damage (Geoff Magliochetti, Ballislife/ SI All Knicks).
With that announcement would open up one roster spot for New York. New York is stacked within the backcourt with Sabrina Ionescu and Natasha Cloud. Nevertheless, second yr guard Jaylyn Sherrod continues to struggle for a roster spot. Is it attainable the defending champs take an opportunity on a rookie? In any case, they gave up their first-round decide to the Connecticut Solar, in change for Natasha Cloud.
Connecticut Solar
The Connecticut Solar stole the present by drafting Aneesha Morrow Saniya Rivers no.7 and no. 8 within the 2025 WNBA Draft. Though the Solar have Marina Mabrey, Lindsay Allen, and Jacy Sheldon, and Rivers within the backcourt, why not take an opportunity on Sellers? If Connecticut made this transfer, that may have three potential first-round expertise’s on the roster.
The Suns imploded within the offseason, unloading their gifted roster. They don’t have anything to lose, and are in clear rebuild mode underneath newly signed head coach Rachid Meziane.
This story is all too frequent within the WNBA. With so few groups and restricted roster spots, being a first-round draft decide sadly doesn’t assure a spot on a roster. That stated, we hope Sellers will discover the best group to match her wants and showcase her abilities. This is the reason the growth and elevated visibility of the WNBA stay critically necessary!
Keep tuned for extra WNBA associated articles.
Sara Jane Gamelli is a full-time Author, Journalist, Content material Creator, Managing Editor, and Supervisor for Ballislife Bets. She has a concentrate on the NBA, WNBA, NCAA Basketball, and the NFL. Sara Jane at present resides within the Connecticut/NYC space along with her Cat and Canine. SJ has her undergraduate diploma from the College of Connecticut in Economics, with a minor in enterprise administration.
