Last Updated on July 30, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Regular Season

PLAYER NAME ROLE TIER MPG USAGE TIER PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) IMPACT INDEX NOTES AWARDS
Veronica Burton Starter/Star (1.1) 29.4 High (1.2) 11.9 4.4 6.0 1.7 63.52 Primary floor general who controlled tempo and consistently organized the offense rather than simply hunting her own shot. Coaches continued trusting her with difficult on-ball assignments while her expanded scoring confidence complemented elite playmaking, a progression widely highlighted by independent coverage following her breakout campaign. None
Kayla Thornton Starter/Star (1.1) 30.1 High (1.2) 14.0 7.0 1.5 1.5 63.36 Functioned as the club’s physical two-way forward, setting the defensive tone while stretching the floor despite inconsistent shooting efficiency. Reporting around the team emphasized her veteran leadership, toughness and ability to stabilize an expansion roster after returning from a major knee injury. None
Janelle Salaün Starter/Star (1.1) 27.0 High (1.2) 11.3 5.1 1.2 0.7 48.89 Played as an aggressive scoring forward whose willingness to fire from deep opened driving lanes for teammates. Analysts frequently praised her confidence, transition energy and growing comfort within the offensive system as her offensive responsibility expanded. None
Tiffany Hayes Starter/Star (1.1) 26.9 Medium (1.1) 11.7 3.8 3.0 0.7 46.46 Served as an experienced combo guard who settled possessions and created offense when games slowed down. Veteran decision-making and defensive competitiveness remained central reasons coaches relied on her alongside the team’s younger core. None
Cecilia Zandalasini Key Contributor (1.05) 23.7 Medium (1.1) 10.5 2.9 1.7 1.1 37.56 Operated as a movement shooter who punished defensive rotations without dominating the ball. Independent coverage regularly pointed to her spacing value and international experience as qualities that fit seamlessly within Golden State’s pass-heavy attack. None
Temi Fagbenle Starter/Star (1.1) 23.7 Low (1.0) 7.4 4.9 1.6 1.5 37.27 Anchored many frontcourt defensive possessions through screening, rim running and interior positioning rather than high-volume scoring. Her willingness to handle physical assignments allowed perimeter teammates to play more aggressively. None
Iliana Rupert Key Contributor (1.05) 23.1 Medium (1.1) 9.3 3.9 1.6 1.2 36.61 Brought valuable frontcourt versatility by stretching defenses while still protecting the paint in spurts. Observers often highlighted her modern inside-out skill set and lineup flexibility as an important tactical option. None
Kaila Charles Key Contributor (1.05) 19.3 Low (1.0) 7.4 4.5 0.9 1.3 29.82 Filled a utility wing role built around hustle, rebounding and defensive pressure. Her energy frequently earned extra possessions and made her a dependable rotation piece beyond what the box score alone suggests. None
Monique Billings Key Contributor (1.05) 18.2 Low (1.0) 7.3 4.5 0.5 1.4 28.64 Provided physical interior minutes, attacking the glass and defending multiple frontcourt matchups. Coaches leaned on her activity level whenever additional rebounding and toughness were needed. None
Carla Leite Key Contributor (1.05) 17.2 Low (1.0) 7.2 1.3 2.0 0.8 23.31 Entered as an offensive-minded reserve guard whose creativity flashed despite normal rookie inconsistency. Coverage frequently noted her confidence with the ball and long-term developmental upside. None
Kate Martin Key Contributor (1.05) 16.4 Low (1.0) 6.2 2.7 1.0 0.5 21.42 Accepted a low-usage wing role centered on floor spacing, connective passing and dependable team defense. Her willingness to make simple winning plays helped preserve lineup balance. None
Laeticia Amihere Bench (1.0) 13.3 Low (1.0) 5.4 4.3 0.9 1.0 23.20 Supplied athletic frontcourt minutes with defensive versatility and transition energy. Even in limited opportunities, her physical tools remained an intriguing developmental asset discussed by evaluators. None
Chloe Bibby Bench (1.0) 13.2 Low (1.0) 6.4 2.8 0.6 0.6 20.80 Limited independent season coverage was available. In a small sample she primarily filled a stretch-forward role, supplying perimeter shooting and floor spacing when called upon. None
Stephanie Talbot Key Contributor (1.05) 16.8 Low (1.0) 3.6 3.3 2.0 0.7 20.16 Played as a connective forward whose value came through passing, defensive communication and positional versatility rather than scoring volume. Coaches continued trusting her basketball IQ in multiple lineup combinations. None
Julie Vanloo Bench (1.0) 20.0 Low (1.0) 4.6 1.9 4.1 0.7 22.60 Worked almost exclusively as a table-setting guard, probing defenses and looking to create quality looks for teammates. Limited contemporary reporting was available for this brief stint. None
Kaitlyn Chen Bench (1.0) 10.3 Low (1.0) 2.0 0.9 1.0 0.2 8.20 Rookie reserve guard who focused on ball security, pace and secondary playmaking while adjusting to the professional game. Independent reporting emphasized her poise and coachability despite modest minutes. None
Kyara Linskens Bench (1.0) 6.8 Low (1.0) 1.0 1.5 0.3 1.1 7.80 Limited contemporary coverage was available. Used as situational frontcourt depth, providing size, rebounding and occasional rim protection in short appearances. None
Bree Hall Bench (1.0) 4.0 Low (1.0) 1.0 0.7 0.0 0.0 3.40 Limited independent reporting was available. Filled a developmental reserve wing role with defensive potential and perimeter shooting upside. None
Aerial Powers Bench (1.0) 3.5 Low (1.0) 1.0 1.0 0.5 0.5 6.00 Limited independent reporting was available because of the brief appearance. Brought veteran wing experience in a very small sample. None
TOTALS — 395.9 — 142.6 60.2 37.3 17.8 579.15 Team built around balanced scoring, versatile defense and collective ball movement rather than a single dominant offensive star, with veteran leadership blending into a deep rotation. None

Playoffs

PLAYER NAME ROLE TIER MPG USAGE TIER PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) IMPACT INDEX NOTES AWARDS
Veronica Burton Starter/Star (1.1) 35.0 High (1.2) 13.5 5.5 8.0 4.5 82.37 Controlled virtually every half-court possession, blending patient playmaking with disruptive point-of-attack defense. Playoff coverage consistently highlighted the trust Natalie Nakase placed in Burton as the team’s offensive organizer, and she responded by creating for teammates while generating steals that shifted momentum. (WNBA) Most Improved Player (2025)
Cecilia Zandalasini Starter/Star (1.1) 31.0 High (1.2) 14.0 4.5 2.5 1.0 58.61 Operated as Golden State’s primary perimeter scorer, confidently attacking closeouts instead of settling as a spot-up specialist. Independent reporting throughout the postseason emphasized how her expanded offensive responsibility and shot creation became essential after moving into a larger role. (San Francisco Chronicle) None
Janelle Salaün Starter/Star (1.1) 34.5 High (1.2) 13.5 5.0 0.5 0.5 51.48 Played with an aggressive scoring mindset, hunting transition opportunities and difficult perimeter looks without hesitation. Coaches and analysts regularly pointed to her confidence and fearless shot-making as traits that translated naturally into playoff basketball. (San Francisco Chronicle) All-Rookie Team (2025)
Temi Fagbenle Starter/Star (1.1) 20.0 Medium (1.1) 12.0 3.0 3.0 0.0 43.56 Anchored the interior through screening, finishing and defensive positioning rather than high-volume isolation play. Even in limited playoff action, her physical presence remained central to Golden State’s frontcourt structure before injury interrupted her availability. (WNBA) None
Kaila Charles Starter/Star (1.1) 22.5 Low (1.0) 3.5 2.5 2.0 2.0 22.00 Filled a defense-first wing role, applying pressure on the perimeter while doing the connective work that rarely shows up fully in the box score. Coaches continued trusting her energy and versatility in matchup-heavy lineups. (Golden State Valkyries) None
Kate Martin Key Contributor (1.05) 16.0 Low (1.0) 8.0 1.5 1.0 0.5 23.10 Accepted complementary minutes by spacing the floor and making quick decisions with the ball. Independent preseason and season coverage consistently viewed her as a dependable rotation piece capable of fitting multiple lineup combinations. (Reddit) None
Iliana Rupert Key Contributor (1.05) 24.0 Low (1.0) 4.0 2.5 3.0 1.0 22.05 Brought valuable frontcourt versatility by stretching defenses while still protecting the paint in short bursts. Her ability to play inside or outside gave Golden State additional tactical flexibility during the series. None
Monique Billings Bench (1.0) 14.5 Low (1.0) 7.5 2.0 0.0 1.0 21.00 Delivered energetic reserve minutes, attacking the glass and finishing around the basket with efficiency. Her physical play supplied an important lift whenever Golden State needed extra interior toughness off the bench. None
Carla Leite Bench (1.0) 8.0 Low (1.0) 2.0 1.0 0.5 0.0 7.00 Limited independent playoff coverage was available. Her role centered on providing brief relief minutes at guard while continuing to develop within the rotation. None
Kaitlyn Chen Bench (1.0) 4.0 Low (1.0) 2.0 1.0 1.0 0.0 8.00 Limited independent playoff coverage was available. Saw situational minutes, bringing steady ball movement and composure whenever called upon. None
Laeticia Amihere Bench (1.0) 4.0 Low (1.0) 0.0 1.0 0.0 0.0 2.00 Limited independent playoff coverage was available. Used sparingly as athletic frontcourt depth, primarily to provide defensive energy and rebounding in short stretches. None
TOTALS — 215.5 — 82.0 28.5 22.0 10.5 341.17 Golden State’s playoff identity revolved around disciplined ball movement, aggressive perimeter defense and balanced scoring, with Burton directing the offense while multiple wings shared creation and floor-spacing responsibilities. Most Improved Player (2025): Veronica Burton; All-Rookie Team (2025): Janelle Salaün