Aneesah Morrow has been crashing the glass and filling box scores since she stepped onto a college court. Now, she may be the centerpiece of the Golden State Valkyries’ future.
As the WNBA’s newest expansion team looks to build a winning culture from the ground up, Morrow’s name continues to come up as a perfect fit. But can she truly be the face of a franchise from Day 1?
Aneesah Morrow Could Be a Fit for the WNBA’s Newest Team
The Valkyries, set to make their league debut this season, are projected to use their No. 5 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft on LSU forward Aneesah Morrow — one of the most productive and relentless players in the class.
There may not be another player quite like her this year. Morrow averaged 18.7 points and 13.5 rebounds per game as a senior, while shooting 49% from the field and 73.4% from the free-throw line. She led all of Division I in rebounding and double-doubles, proving she is a consistent force at both ends of the floor.
At 6’1″, she might be considered slightly undersized for a traditional power forward, but her strength and quickness often overwhelm opponents. Her career 12.3 rebounds per game says everything about her energy.
While she was not the go-to scorer at LSU, Morrow had already proven her offensive game at DePaul, where she averaged 23.8 points over two seasons. She can score from anywhere on the court and thrives in transition.
Morrow Checks All the Boxes for the Valkyries
The Valkyries are building something new, and they need more than talent. They need tone-setters. Morrow checks that box. She brings grit and a level of intensity that can spark a young team.
Head coach Natalie Nakase will be working with a roster that already features WNBA veterans like Kayla Thornton and Monique Billings, alongside rising players like Kate Martin and Veronica Burton. Morrow complements this group well.
Thornton and Billings bring defensive toughness, Burton adds ball-handling and perimeter defense, and Martin offers versatility. What Morrow adds is elite rebounding and scoring punch, valuable skills that every WNBA team searches for.
The Valkyries already made headlines by forming their roster through the 2024 expansion draft and partnering with Sephora in a multi-year founding deal. But with the draft approaching, landing Morrow could be their most important move yet.
She is more than a stat-sheet stuffer — she’s the kind of player who could anchor a franchise looking to establish itself from the start and rise through the ranks quickly.