Valkyries bring back rookie Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda on replacement contract

The Valkyries have signed Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda to a replacement contract following the news of center Iliana Rupert's pregnancy, the team announced on Friday morning.

Mwenentanda was brought in during training camp and played in the second half of the Valkyries' preseason game against the Seattle Storm on April 25. She did not score in seven minutes.

The 6-foot-2 forward played three seasons at Texas before transferring to Vanderbilt and averaging 6.9 points and 3.4 rebounds while shooting 47.2% from the field this past season.

The signing came a day after Rupert’s pregnancy was announced, a development that will likely keep her out for an extended amount of time if not the whole season.

The announcement has caused ripple effects throughout the roster as Golden State had to waive fan favorite Kate Martin in a tight roster crunch, paving the way for athletic forward Laeticia Amihere to make the team.

Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase said the decision to cut Martin was not easy.

“It was very emotional, a lot of heartache. Kate was our family member and someone we cared about deeply. And we still do care deeply about Kate,” Nakase said before the Valkyries’ season opener against Seattle on Friday. “With that said, it was obviously very hard because we are trying to construct the best team but for us, it has been a lot of emotions.”

The Valkyries have left their final developmental contract open and could bring Martin back on that deal.

But she needs to clear waivers by Saturday and agree to take a significant pay cut to do so. Martin removed the Valkyries Instagram handle from her account Thursday.

On Rupert, Nakase said she was “ecstatic” when she heard the news of the pregnancy. The second-year coach also emphasized the need for the Valkyries to make adjustments without Rupert on the floor.

“We gotta make adjustments,” Nakase said. “We’re constantly evaluating things that have been changed within the last three or four days. … We’re being very cautious and thoughtful about how we construct our roster.”

Amihere and veteran Kiah Stokes will be penciled in to take over Rupert’s minutes at center.

Mwenentanda didn't produce much in her four years in college, but her physical tools are undeniable. At 6-2, the South Dakota native profiles as a long, athletic defender who can play some small-ball center in certain lineups.

It hasn't been announced yet if Mwenentanda will be active for Friday's season opener at Seattle.

If she doesn’t play, the Valkyries will enter the game with 10 available players.

Golden State can also activate developmental player Miela Sowah. Coach Natalie Nakase said this week that activating the Australian point guard will be a game-time decision.

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.

This story was originally published May 8, 2026 at 9:59 AM.