How Laeticia Amihere is proving her worth to the Valkyries

Amihere, the South Carolina product, had played so well during Golden State’s two preseason games (including a 20-point game against the Los Angeles Sparks in the first preseason contest) that her release was met with a collective gasp by a fan base still getting to know this roster. And what they saw from Amihere — the hustle plays, the defensive intensity, the athleticism — they liked.

The 6-foot-4 wing was re-signed by the Valkyries on June 3, coming in to replace the handful of international players who departed to compete in the EuroBasket Tournament. She is going to give general manager Ohemaa Nyanin and head coach Natalie Nakase some tough choices to make when those players — as well as French star Iliana Rupert — make their way back to the States.

In the meantime, Amihere is playing a big role in the Valkyries’ success story and will be important on Wednesday night as Golden State takes on the New York Liberty for the third time this season.

“There are seasons in your life you are going to endure,” Amihere said. “Whether it’s high or low, to have the peace to know that everything is in its time, and I knew my time wasn’t that time. But now I’m coming back, and it is my time.”

Amihere, the No. 9 pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft, has been back on the floor for four games with the Valkyries. And so far, the Valkyries have won three of those games. In last Thursday night’s win over Indiana, Amihere finished with 10 points and four blocked shots. In Sunday’s blowout win over Connecticut, Amihere finished with a career-first double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds.

She has scored in double figures in three straight games, pushing her season scoring average to 9.0 points per game, and she is averaging 1.5 blocks per game. She is proving herself to be a strong and aggressive defender all over the floor for a team that values exactly that skill set.

Nakase has been impressed with the way Amihere has taken advantage of her second chance. “She’s very mature and she is a true pro,” the head coach said. “A lot of people would probably get down, get disappointed, and she hung with it. She continued to work out, she continued to stay in shape, and that’s hard to manage that on your own. But credit to her. The best thing about [Amihere] is that you can draw a play and boom, she’ll execute it. And that she plays with no fear.”

Nakase said that Amihere embodies that “killer” vibe that she is looking for, a vibe that has defined this team and its success in the early days.

“She has that ‘Kobe’ mentality,” Nakase continued. “Her face, she never smiles throughout the game, and I love that killer instinct.”

Amihere adds to Golden State’s post depth, playing alongside Monique Billings and Kayla Thornton. That depth may be an advantage against a New York team that will be playing without league MVP Jonquel Jones, who is out four to six weeks with an ankle sprain.

Amihere will need to continue to prove herself when Temi Fágbénlé, Janelle Salaün, Cecilia Zandalasini and Rupert arrive back to the Bay following the EuroBasket tournament.

Thornton said that in last week’s game against the Fever, she ‘got on” Amihere a little bit. “And she took that and used it in the right way,” Thornton said. “I’m so proud of her for stepping up and coming in where she left off.”

Amihere said she has felt deep support from her teammates and the coaches. “It’s been straight positivity,” Amihere said. “Everyone has embraced me, allowed me to just jump right in.”