Valkyries waive second-round pick Shyanne Sellers

OAKLAND — The Golden State Valkyries have waived second-round pick Shyanne Sellers, the team announced on Saturday.

Sellers is the first player to be cut from the WNBA expansion team’s training camp roster.

The Valkyries have not said why they made the move. 

Sellers was drafted in the second round, 17th overall, out of Maryland. The 22-year-old guard was considered a steal for the Valkyries after she was projected to be a Top 10 pick on most mock draft boards.

“We were surprised Shyanne was available at 17,” general manager Ohemaa Nyanin said on draft night. “Her versatility excites us because it gives us an opportunity to slide her in another position or another.”

The move is surprising, given that Sellers appeared to be one of the most skilled players on the Valkyries’ roster. She has size and showed the ability to shoot 3-pointers at a high clip at Maryland.

Golden State coach Natalie Nakase praised her and fellow rookie Kaitlyn Chen for their willingness to compete.

“They were very competitive,” Nakase said after Thursday’s practice. “There was a lot of pushing, there were other people falling on the ground. And I loved it because they just got back right back up.”

Sellers — the daughter of former NBA player Brad Sellers — averaged 14.4 points and 4.1 assists per game while shooting 40.8% from the three-point line at Maryland. She was the first player in program history to surpass 1,500 points, 500 rebounds and 500 assists.

This breaking story will be updated when more details emerge.