Kayla Thorntonmay have been the last player added to captainCaitlin Clark's 2025 WNBA All-Star roster, but she's certainly not the least. Clark said she's had her eye on Thornton, much like the rest of the league as theGolden State Valkyrieshave put everyone on notice in their inaugural season. "I wanted Kayla Thornton on my team. I think you got to give her a lot of credit for what Golden State accomplished this year," Clarksaidduring the2025 WNBA All-Stardraft on July 8. "Obviously being an expansion team, you never know how it's going to go. They've had an absolutely tremendous season and she's had a tremendous season. I'm happy for her and excited for her. I'm glad she can be on our team." Thornton picked up the first All-Star nod in her 10-year career afterbeing named a reserveby the league's 13 head coaches. With the selection, Thornton became the first player to be named an All-Star as a member of a first-year team since Candice Dupree did so with theChicago Skyin 2006, further highlighting the Valkyries' unprecedented start. "It's a long time coming. I'm just thankful for my teammates,"saidThornton, who is averaging 15.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 19 games this season. "Without them I wouldn't be an All-Star, without my coaches I wouldn't be an All-Star. I'm just grateful." WNBA expansion teams haven't gotten off to the best starts in recent years.TheAtlanta Dreamwent 4-30 in their inaugural season in 2008. TheChicago Skywent 5-29 in 2006. TheIndiana Feverwent 9-23 in their first season in 2000. TheSeattle Stormwent 6-26 in 2000. You get the point. The Valkyries, however, are rewriting that narrative and have proven themselves early on. Under the tutelage ofhead coach Natalie Nakase, Golden State has opened its first season 10-9 as the All-Star break quickly approaches. The Valkyries notched their 10th win of the season on the road against the newly-mintedCommissioner's Cup champion Indiana Fever—Golden State's second win of the season against the Fever—to become only the third expansion team in WNBA history to pick up its 10th victory in 20 games or less. "I think from the outside looking in it's great to hear all that positivity, but for us we hold the standard," Nakase said on July 9 following her team's win over the Fever. "We set out to win every game." The Valkyries have succeeded with their grit and defensive prowess. Golden State ranks second in the WNBA in defensive rating (97.3 points allowed per 100 possessions), trailing only the league-leading Minnesota Lynx. The Valkyries top the WNBA in rebounding (37.4 per game) and have allowed opponents the fewest paint points per game (28.1). 2025 WNBA ALL-STAR DRAFT RESULTS:Caitlin Clark selects Fever teammates Nakase has also leaned on her team's championship experience and ability to compete early on. The Valkyries' inaugural roster includes four WNBA champions—center Temi Fagbenle and forward Cecilia Zandalasini (Minnesota Lynx, 2017); center/forward Iliana Rupert (Las Vegas Aces, 2022) and Thornton (New York Liberty, 2024). More history could be on the horizon for the Valkyries. Golden State is looking to become the first expansion team to make the playoffs in its inaugural season since the Detroit Shock in 1998. The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Golden State Valkyries setting new standard for WNBA expansion teams
