Leite Show returns: How former Valkyries guard went from Bay Area backup to Portland's star
SAN FRANCISCO — Carla Leite's eyes lit up as she explained her ongoing transformation from plucky rookie backup for the Valkyries to the face of the expansion franchise for the Portland Fire.
"It has been a fresh start for me with new teammates, new coaching staff, and I think I took my (new) responsibilities and (wanted) show that I can play in this league," Leite said.
Back in the same building she spent her rookie year, Leite made sure to hit up one of her favorite spots in the area before the game, getting lunch with friends at a nearby Mexican restaurant.
Speaking with a gaggle of reporters before Tuesday's game, Leite made it clear she was also looking forward to catching up with her old teammates, too.
"I can't wait to see them on the court here tonight," Leite said.
The Valkyries welcomed her back with a pregame tribute video.
A couple hours before facing her old teammates, Leite wanted to make something clear: She held no ill will toward the Valkyries for not protecting her in the expansion draft.
"I don't have any (extra) pressure," Leite said. "I just want to enjoy the game and see everybody."
The Valkyries had an opportunity to make Leite a franchise cornerstone after picking her from Dallas in the 2025 expansion draft, but Golden State elected to not make the French guard among the five who were guaranteed a spot on the Valkyries.
Portland, led by former Valkyries vice president Vanja Černivec, swooped in, and has to be thrilled with what they've received so far.
"A lot of things (she did) popped out when we were going about building the team," said Portland coach Alex Sarama.
Leite, 22, is enjoying a breakout season for the surprising Fire (6-4) in her second year on the WNBA circuit.
She entered Tuesday averaging 15.9 points and 5.0 assists per game as the Fire's unquestioned starter at point guard. Her ability to get to the basket has stood out from the get-go.
"She's one of the best players in the league when it comes to getting downhill … it allows us to do some really unique things offensively," Sarama said. "We're just trying to be very purposeful with the shapes we're creating, and how we're spaced around her to maximize her unique skillset.”
Leite’s gaudy numbers are not just a product of more usage, either.
After shooting just 38.7% from the field and 17.3% from behind the arc, Leite has become one of the league's most efficient scorers. She is shooting 48.1% from the field and 35.7% from 3-point territory.
Golden State coach Natalie Nakase, who watched Leite bring a spark off the Valkyries bench last season, has not been surprised by Leite's sophomore year jump.
"When people get that opportunity and they take full advantage of it, I think that's what you're seeing," Nakase said. "You gotta love Carla's fight. She plays with so much passion …. You can't take your eyes off her, really."
Like she did at times last year, Leite has shown no fear during big moments this season. A few days ago, Leite repeatedly attacked Caitlin Clark in isolation, scoring 18 points and dishing out a career-high 12 assists.
Big games such as that, and her incredible rise in production, has made Leite an early frontrunner for the league’s Most Improved Player award.
It is an award that her former mentor and current Valkyries point guard Veronica Burton won last season. Though she tried to give Leite pointers throughout last season, Burton made sure to not take any credit for the second-year guard's development.
"It was definitely not my mentorship that paved the way," Burton said with a laugh. "I think that Carla's hard work, talent, her grit and the fact that she's obviously an incredible player (is to credit)."
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This story was originally published June 2, 2026 at 7:23 PM.