Iliana Rupert, Veronica Burton and Valkyries to watch vs. Wings

As Golden State begins the second half of its season, the spotlight will shine on the newest frontcourt addition, a 6-foot-4 French center. Rupert, the former No. 12 selection in the 2021 WNBA Draft, brings a combination of size, defensive versatility, and perimeter shooting. When she suits up in violet for the first time Friday, she will join Monique Billings and Temi Fagbenle, who’ve worked the Valkyries’ center position in tandem thus far. Rupert’s rim protection, ability to stretch the floor with a consistent three-point shot, and familiarity with head coach Natalie Nakase — stemming from their time together in Las Vegas — could provide crucial depth to the rotation and holds the potential to unlock a new dimension of the team’s frontcourt scheme. 

Since entering the WNBA in 2021, Rupert has played just two seasons (37 total games) and has opted to spend the bulk of her professional career overseas. She’s played eight EuroLeague seasons since 2019 and has been a steady contributor for the French national team. Rupert has represented France in 12 FIBA tournaments, earning a bronze medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics, and most recently helping lead the team to a fourth-place finish at EuroBasket, where she averaged 8.7 points and 4.2 boards over six games. She arrives in San Francisco fresh off one of the strongest seasons of her career with Turkey’s ÇBK Mersin in the EuroLeague, where she posted 16.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. That production underscores her ability to make an immediate impact in Nakase’s rotation.