The Golden State Valkyries are facing roster challenges just before the cut-down deadline. The franchise has waived a player while also dealing with an injury to a key member of the team.
Ducharme Waived Ahead of Deadline
The Valkyries have been trimming their roster ahead of the May 7 deadline. They need to reduce their squad to 12 players for the 2026 season, having started training camp with 21.
Caroline Ducharme, a former UConn guard, is the latest player to be waived. Ducharme entered the league this month as an undrafted free agent. The Valkyries signed her to a training camp contract on April 15, 2026, and she played in one preseason game against the Seattle Storm, recording 3 points, 1 rebound, and 1 assist in 7 minutes.
Ducharme’s college career at UConn was disrupted by head and neck injuries, limiting her role even upon her return for a redshirt senior season. The team brought her in to assess her fit within their offensive system and to address a temporary shortage of camp bodies due to international commitments. With those needs now met, her release was expected.
Martin Injury a Blow to Valkyries
Kate Martin has been ruled out with a Grade 2 quad strain. The injury could keep her out for three to six weeks. This is a significant blow to the Valkyries.
Martin is considered a cornerstone of the Golden State setup. She is a versatile, high-IQ guard and vocal leader, valued both in the locker room and on the court. Her absence, even temporarily, impacts the team.
With a recovery timeline of three to six weeks, Martin is likely to miss the opening games of the regular season. The Valkyries announced a formal re-evaluation on May 5 to assess her progress. The team hopes for positive news regarding her recovery.
Martin’s Continued Presence
Despite the injury, Kate Martin remains engaged with the Golden State Valkyries. She has found a way to contribute off the court. Head coach Natalie Nakase told Martin to find another way to contribute.
Nakase revealed, “I said, ‘Make sure you are going to be the energy monitor.’” According to Nakase, Martin has embraced this role.
The Valkyries will re-evaluate Martin on May 5 to determine if her recovery is trending towards the shorter end of the three-to-six week window.