GSV signs free agent Tiffany Hayes, 2024 Sixth Woman of the Year
Veteran Guard Was Named 2018 All-WNBA First Team, 2017 WNBA All-Star
The whole 2025 Valkyries Free Agency series is indexed here.
The Golden State Valkyries announced today:
GSV have signed veteran guard Tiffany Hayes. With 12 years of WNBA experience, Hayes joins the Valkyries after spending a breakout 2024 season with the Las Vegas Aces. She will wear #15 for the franchise.
"Tiffany is a dynamic scorer who can change the momentum of a game in an instant," said Valkyries General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin. "Beyond her on-court impact, she brings an infectious energy and selfless approach that elevates everyone around her. Her willingness to contribute in any way needed, combined with her defensive intensity and scoring ability will add another important piece to what we're building here in the Bay Area.”
Hayes’ WNBA resume includes 2024 Sixth Woman of the Year, 2018 All-WNBA First Team and All-Defensive Second Team honors, and a 2017 WNBA All-Star selection. She finished sixth in 2018 MVP voting. In 2023, she became the seventh-fastest player to achieve 4,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 750 assists, 300 steals, and 350 three-point field goals, reaching the milestone in just 307 games.
Hayes has career averages of 13.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. Last season with Las Vegas, she shot a career-best 40.2% from three-point range while averaging 9.5 points off the bench.
"Having coached Tiffany last season in Las Vegas, I know firsthand the impact she brings both on and off the court," said Valkyries Head Coach Natalie Nakase. "Her versatility, intensity, and ability to score will be invaluable as we build our team's identity. She's also an exceptional mentor who understands what it takes to play, and succeed, at the highest level."
A product of University of Connecticut, Hayes was selected 14th overall in the 2012 WNBA Draft by the Atlanta Dream.
[[ Laeticia Amihere claimed off waivers by Golden State. Very reasonable move to take a look at a young player with all sorts of 'tools' who's having a decent season in Australia. Exactly the sort of player expansion teams should be bringing in. ]]
https://bsky.app/profile/richardcohen.bsky.social/post/3lhk44kvhj22h
Also:
[[ The Golden State Valkyries announced today that they have signed center Elissa Cunane to a training camp contract.
Cunane, a 6-5 center, is currently playing for BK Žabiny Brno of the Czech Women's Basketball League, averaging 11.4 points and 7.6 rebounds in the 2024-25 season. Cunane made her WNBA debut with the Minnesota Lynx in 2022, where she appeared in three games. She was drafted by the Seattle Storm in the second round (17th overall) in the 2022 WNBA Draft.
Cunane was a member of the USA Basketball 2021 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup gold medal team, where she earned All-Star honors averaging 12.8 points and 8.0 rebounds.
"Elissa has been an exciting player to watch throughout her career," said Valkyries General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin. "Her game translates to both ends of the floor, and she has consistently shown she can make an impact whether it's through scoring, rebounding, or creating for her teammates.”
At North Carolina State, Cunane was named an AP and USBWA Second Team All-American and WBCA All-American in 2022. She was also a finalist for the Lisa Leslie Award and named to the John R. Wooden Award National Ballot during her senior season.
"Elissa is a high-IQ player who understands how to play the right way and will always put the team first,” said Head Coach Natalie Nakase. "She's fierce on the glass, creating extra possessions, and has the ability to space the floor. That combination of basketball intelligence and skill makes her an exciting addition to our frontcourt." ]]
https://valkyries.wnba.com/news/golden-state-valkyries-sign-elissa-cunane-20250206