Reinforcements are on the way for the Golden State Valkyries.
The Valkyries are activating French center Iliana Rupert, the team announced on Thursday. Golden State selected Rupert in December’s expansion draft, but the 6-foot-4, stretch five did join the Valkyries through the first half of the season to fulfill international duties.
She is expected to join the team after the All-Star break.
Golden State has had an ongoing roster shuffle since three players returned to the team after the EuroBasket Tournament ended two weeks ago. The Valkyries released forward Stephanie Talbot on Sunday to make room for Rupert’s activation.
Rupert will take the Valkyries’ final roster spot and joins a center group that includes Temi Fágbénlé and Monique Billings.
Rupert has played two seasons in the WNBA and has career averages of 2.7 points and 2.1 rebounds per game. She won a championship with Las Vegas in 2022 along with Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase, who was an assistant on the Aces staff.
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Rupert is the third French player to join the roster, joining rookies Janelle Salaün and Carla Leite. Rupert played alongside Salaün just a few weeks ago at EuroBasket where she averaged 8.7 points and 4.2 rebounds in six games for the French national team.
The Valkyries struggled going into the All-Star break as they have lost three straight and five of their last six games. Golden State is currently a half game behind the Las Vegas Aces, who are eighth in the standings.