Tiffany Hayes Is Staying in the Bay and the Valkyries Just Locked Down Their Veteran Anchor

The Golden State Valkyries didn't let their debut season lightning bolt walk away. On Saturday, the team re-signed guard Tiffany Hayes to a one-year deal, keeping one of the most experienced voices in the locker room locked in for what comes next. The contract terms stayed under wraps, but the message was crystal clear: Hayes is foundational to what this franchise is building.

What Hayes Brought in Year One

Hayes, 36, showed up big during the Valkyries' inaugural 2025 season. She averaged 11.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists across 26 games, starting in 24 of them. Those aren't flashy numbers on paper, but leadership and consistency in a brand-new franchise's first year? That's gold. General Manager Ohemaa Nyanin got it right away, saying in a statement that Hayes "helped lay the foundation on and off the court for this team, and that's not something you take for granted."

The Pedigree Speaks for Itself

This isn't some aging role player being kept around out of nostalgia. Hayes is a legitimately decorated veteran. She was an All-Star with Atlanta in 2017 and the WNBA Sixth Player of the Year with Las Vegas in 2024. Over her career spanning 376 games (303 starts), Hayes has averaged 13.1 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists. She's played for the Dream, the Sun, the Aces, and now the Valkyries.

Nyanin called Hayes returning to the Bay her "second home," and it's easy to see why the front office fought to keep her around. A veteran presence with postseason experience and championship-level pedigree? That's the kind of locker room anchor teams build around, especially when you're brand new and still figuring out your identity.

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