The Golden State Valkyries made a significant splash during 2025 WNBA free agency, signing 12-year veteran guard Tiffany Hayes. Hayes is fresh off a Sixth Woman of the Year campaign, awarded to the WNBA's best reserve. Starting in all 40 games the year prior, Hayes transitioned to headlining the second unit for the back-to-back defending champion Las Vegas Aces. 

She was highly efficient in her new role, leading all reserves in scoring, averaging 9.5 points in 21.5 minutes per game. Hayes shot 50.0 percent from the field and 40.2 percent from three — her 3-point percentage ranked 10th in the league. 

“I’m not the type that cares whether I start or come off the bench," Hayes said. "I’m okay with whatever I have to do for the team. If it's going to help us win, then I’m good with it.”

Hayes has been a winner throughout her career, winning back-to-back National Championships with the UConn Huskies in college and helping the Atlanta Dream to the WNBA Finals in her second season. At her peak with the Dream, Hayes averaged 16-17 points per game, was named an All-Star in 2017 and an All-WNBA performer in 2018. She also finished sixth in MVP voting and fourth for Defensive Player of the Year in a career-defining 2018 season. 

“I’d take a team full of Tiffanys,” Hayes' 2018 Dream coach Nicki Collen said. “She shows up and competes every single game. She doesn’t look for the spotlight, but it keeps finding her.”

Hayes is a shifty left-handed shot-creator who has garnered respect around the league from her peers and competitors. She will reunite with two former Aces and current Valkyries — guard Kate Martin and Head Coach Natalie Nakase. 

"I love Kate [Martin]," Hayes shared of her reunited teammate. "I love seeing her work so hard. She puts the work in and I love to see it translate on the court."

Hayes and Martin are already developing chemistry together this offseason in Unrivaled’s 3-on-3 basketball league, filled with active WNBA players, as teammates on the Laces. 

Having a seasoned veteran who's proven herself in the league, has adapted to different roles/situations and already has key relationships within the organization can be a valuable building block for an expansion franchise seeking to establish an identity.