Two-Time Champ Nadia Fingall Joins Valkyries Amid Losing Streak, and It's Getting Real

Hold up, you guys. The Golden State Valkyries just dropped a bombshell, signing former Stanford center Nadia Fingall to a rest-of-season deal. This isn't just some minor move, either. To make room for the 27-year-old big, they waved rookie forward Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda, who barely got on the court. The Valkyries are sitting at 6-5, in the middle of the Commissioner's Cup tournament, and have lost two straight for the first time this season. You gotta wonder if this is the shake-up they needed, or if it's a desperate swing.

Who Exactly Is Nadia Fingall?

So, who's this new face in the frontcourt? Fingall isn't some fresh-faced newbie. She played 115 games for Stanford from 2016-2020. During her time there, she averaged 5.1 points and 3.9 rebounds, shooting a solid 47.9 percent from the floor. As a senior, she really stepped up, grabbing a career-high 5.7 rebounds per game and even snagging a Pac-12 All-Defensive Team Honorable Mention. Funny enough, she even played a college game right here in Seattle against Washington back in 2018. It's not her first dance with the Valkyries either, as she's the second former Cardinal player they've picked up recently. Ashten Prechtel, who was a freshman when Fingall was a senior, also joined on an injury hardship contract earlier this year before signing a player development deal.

From Spain to the W: This Move Has Championship Pedigree

But the real juice here comes from her pro career overseas. This 6-foot-4 center isn't just a college standout, she's a proven winner on the international stage. Fingall spent 2023-2025 playing for Valencia in Spain, where she absolutely tore it up. She led her team to two Liga Femenina de Baloncensto titles and snatched up two Supercopa de España championships. Oh, and she was even the Supercopa de España tournament MVP in 2024. That's serious hardware, folks! Most recently, she was with Casademont Zaragoza, averaging 8.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and shooting 44.7 percent from the field in 19 games. This isn't a developmental player, this is a veteran with a championship mindset.

The Stakes Are High for Golden State

Let's be real, waving a rookie like Mwenentanda shows this team means business. The rookie guard out of Vanderbilt only saw 13 minutes across five games, with two rebounds, two assists, and missed her only shot attempt. That's a quick hook, but it also says they're looking for an immediate impact. The Valkyries are looking to snap that two-game skid, and bringing in someone with Fingall’s experience and winning record is a clear statement. Can she be the difference-maker they need? They're heading into a home game against the Phoenix Mercury (4-8) on Thursday. All eyes will be on how Fingall slots in and if she can help turn this ship around for Golden State. You know we'll be watching to see if this big swing pays off!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.