10-05-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
For Valkyries' Carla Leite, country, league and language are all new
When Carla Leite was drafted ninth overall by Dallas in 2024, she didn't feel ready for the WNBA's pace or for representing a team outside of France for the first time.
But in her first WNBA action, in the Golden State Valkyries' preseason opener Tuesday, she looked anything but cautious.
The 5-foot-9 Leite scored four points and dished out three assists in just under 16 minutes. While she made a few rookie mistakes, she also displayed the kind of offensive spark as a driver to the hoop that the Valkyries want. After selecting Leite in December's expansion draft, her commitment to playing in the U.S. had been uncertain. But once she confirmed she would join the team, the Valkyries began planning her long-term future with the club.
'Carla is fearless,' said head coach Natalie Nakase. 'Anytime she sees a (shooting) lane, she just goes. That's hard, because she's small, but she has that fearless mindset and I admire that.'
Leite might be the Valkyries' biggest wild card. If the 21-year-old point guard lives up to her potential, she could eventually become a starter and one of the team's most valuable playmakers. Her defense showed some vulnerabilities when she came off the bench as the second point guard on Tuesday, and she committed three turnovers, not uncommon for a rookie. She said she wants to be more physical and 'use my body on the court more,' which she thinks is the toughest adjustment to the WNBA level so far.
'It's complicated because it's my first time playing in a foreign place,' Leite, 21, told the Chronicle on Friday. 'I have just (played) in France. So I think I need to adapt myself. We have a nice group, it's a safe place. The girls have helped me a lot, and I am grateful for that.'
Off the court, Leite is still finding her footing in a new country with a new language. Still learning English, she's hesitant to speak it. She's had help from Belgian point guard Julie Vanloo – who speaks four languages, including French – and who has played against Leite in Europe over the past few seasons. That includes when Leite won EuroCup Women Finals MVP after leading Villeneuve d'Ascq LM to the 2024–25 championship.
'She's an amazing player,' Vanloo said. 'She's young, but she already has so much experience. She's playing already in such a mature way, because she's been playing in France in a very good league. She won the EuroCup. Those are big games. Those were games with a lot of stress. Carla's a great player. She's shifty, she's quick, she's fearless on the court.'
With Vanloo and fourth-year player Veronica Burton, the Valkyries have other options at the point while Leite adjusts. Vanloo is a strong facilitator while Burton was a defensive specialist with Connecticut before the Valkyries took her in the expansion draft.
As one of the few rookies on the roster, Leite has a three-year deal with the Valkyries. Every player other than Leite, Kaityln Chen, Laeticia Amihere and Kate Martin are on one-year deals.
That means Leite could be one of the Valkyries' few long-term building blocks.
'I have never played in front of a lot of (people) like that,' Leite said of the preseason game. 'I was shocked a little bit, but I know I have to just play my game. I know I can do a lot on the fast break and bring a lot of energy.'
Tuesday's showing was the first glimpse of the style Leite wants to bring. On an expansion team with room to grow, she has an opportunity to break out as one of the Valkyries' key players this season.
'I am ready now,' Leite said. 'I love this experience, I want to be in it 100%. Being here is my goal.'
