The Golden State Valkyries just snagged their first championship less than two weeks ago, but the celebration vibes got absolutely nuked by an explosive interview from Justė Jocytė, the No. 5 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. Jocytė, the very first draft pick in Valkyries history, spoke to BasketNews in her native Lithuania, throwing some serious shade and casting major doubt on her future in the Bay Area. Talk about a cold shower after a title run.
What Exactly Went Down With Jocytė?
So, what’s got a championship team’s prized rookie sounding off? Jocytė’s interview highlighted a season of mixed feelings, mainly because she barely saw the court. She averaged a measly 3.1 points and 1.1 assists in just 8.1 minutes over 16 appearances, and when it came to the playoffs, she logged a grand total of five minutes. Can you imagine being a No. 5 pick, on a championship squad, and feeling like an afterthought? That’s gotta sting.
Her frustrations go deeper than just playing time, though. Jocytė’s key points from the interview, summarized from translations, paint a picture of a “fraught relationship” with coach Natalie Nakase. She never fully understood why she was out of the rotation, claiming she got different explanations all season long. And to top it off, she lamented a total lack of communication from both Nakase and general manager Ohemaa Nyanin. Valkyries beat writer Kenzo Fukada backed this up, reporting that Jocytė and her camp were steamed because Nakase “wasn’t consistent with her reasoning to the media regarding why she didn’t play,” making it impossible for Jocytė to figure out what she needed to do to earn more minutes. That’s a total breakdown in trust and development.
How The Valkyries Are Handling The Fallout
While Nakase and Nyanin have been radio silent since Jocytė’s bombshell interview, Valkyries owner Joe Lacob did weigh in on Tim Kawakami’s podcast. He sounded pretty understanding, saying, “I kind of understand. She’s competitive and would like to win and didn’t play.” Lacob acknowledged her youth, pointing out “she’s also only 20,” and that the team had a “pretty great roster, very deep.” But here’s the kicker: he believes “she can be a very good player, and we’d really love to have her back.” He even went so far as to say, “I think she will certainly earn a lot more playing time in the future.” That’s a significant promise from the owner.
And this isn’t just about some end-of-the-bench player. Jocytė was a certified phenom back in Europe, leading Lithuania to a silver medal at the U16 European championships. She’s not just filling a roster spot; she’s got real talent and a high ceiling. The Valkyries know what they have in her, and losing a No. 5 pick, especially one with her pedigree, would be a massive blunder for a freshly crowned champion looking to build a dynasty. This drama is just getting started, and the Valkyries have to figure out how to mend this relationship, and fast, before their prized rookie walks.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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