WNBA roster changes ignite discussion on valuing international players

May 5, 2025

The first round of cuts from WNBA training camps coincided with the weekend’s preseason games. With a limited number of spots on team rosters, it’s become inevitable for many players to not make the final cut due to salary cap constraints. Each team usually starts with about 18 to 21 players, but they’ll need to trim that down to around 11 or 12 before the season begins.

Typically, teams wait until they’ve had a chance to evaluate all players before making cuts, but that wasn’t the case for the Golden State Valkyries, who made an early decision to release Channe Sellers. Despite being anticipated as a first-round draft pick just last month, she ended up being selected at No. 17 but was cut before even stepping onto the court for her first preseason game with the team.

Sellers wasn’t alone in being cut this weekend. On Friday, the Los Angeles Sparks let go of Alyssa Utzby and Anelli Murray, while New York also parted ways with Kaitlyn Davis, all before the players had the chance to showcase their skills in a preseason matchup.

Following the weekend, more cuts were announced, documented on the WNBA Transactions Page. The Dallas Wings released Mackenzie Forbes and Mikiya Herbert Harrigan after their preseason game against Las Vegas. Chicago had its own first game against Brazil’s national team and decided to cut Allera Girantes, Tilly Boler, and Sammy Puasis afterward.

Except for Sellers, many of the players released this weekend weren’t likely to make it onto the final WNBA roster. It reflects the competitive nature of the league where only top-tier talent secures a spot. Although some may argue that things are improving as the league grows, the addition of the Valkyries hasn’t completely resolved the ongoing issue of roster cuts.

Golden State has opted for an increasingly international roster this season, capitalizing on their draft picks to bring in European talent. They used their No. 5 pick for Just Jocyte in a “Draft and Stash” situation, leaving Kaitlyn Chen as the only player drafted for 2025 on the current roster.

The situation surrounding Sellers has sparked significant discussion online about WNBA expansion and how teams should be assembling their rosters moving forward. There’s a belief that expansion would open doors for more NCAA talent, rather than just focusing on international players, which some have criticized as a narrow American perspective.

I find myself caught between these viewpoints. It’s undoubtedly tough to identify promising international talent, especially when opportunities in the WNBA are scarce. While some Canadian players have quickly pivoted to advocating for Americans, I see a growing narrative that equates expansion with better chances for NCAA talent, which doesn’t seem to align with the trends we’re currently seeing.

I genuinely believe it’s beneficial for the league to embrace a more global approach. For years, international leagues have welcomed American players during times when the WNBA had no room for them. If this shift is perceived as an issue for Americans rather than a reflection of better talent, that’s an unfortunate situation for the league. Young athletes being cut isn’t about excluding players from Europe, and we shouldn’t create a system where they can only participate for a short time without truly developing.

Perhaps more roster positions could alleviate some of the pressure alongside current limitations. With a cap of 12 spots, many talented players remain outside the league’s reach. The strict salary cap alongside injuries, like the recent torn ACL of Seattle Storm’s Katie Luth Muelson, puts a strain on team budgets. This means that even injured players take up available roster spots, complicating roster management.

These challenges are part of ongoing discussions surrounding the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that the players’ union is currently negotiating.

The WNBA preseason rolls on Tuesday, with Golden State facing the Sparks, Las Vegas matching up against Phoenix, and Minnesota playing Chicago. More roster cuts are expected as teams finalize their squads of 11 to 12 players. The official opening day roster is set for May 15th.

Players already cut from training camp include: