Valkyries release veteran forward Talbot, leaving open roster spot

The Valkyries waived veteran forward Stephanie Talbot on Sunday as they reshape their rotation after the end of the EuroBasket tournament that featured several of their players.

Talbot, 31, started 10 games for the Valkyries this season, including eight consecutive starts over the last month, as the European tournament necessitated roster adjustments. But she played just six minutes last Monday in Atlanta against the Dream, then did not play in a win over Indiana or a loss Saturday to the Las Vegas Aces.

French center Iliana Rupert may end up filling the open spot on Golden State’s roster. She missed the first two months of the WNBA season but previously indicated plans to return to the league after EuroBasket.

Talbot averaged 3.6 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game for the Valkyries, who acquired her in last winter’s expansion draft from the Sparks. She had career lows in field goal percentage (33.9%) and 3-point shooting (25%) with the Valkyries. Talbot has previously played for Phoenix, Minnesota, Seattle and the Sparks over her seven WNBA seasons out of Australia.

Rupert was the Valkyries’ first pick in the expansion draft from Atlanta, where she played in 2023. She previously played two seasons working with Golden State coach Natalie Nakase in Las Vegas, where Nakase was an Aces assistant coach.

Talbot’s $125,000 contract, which she signed as an extension with Los Angeles before the expansion draft, is guaranteed, according to Spotrac.com.