She’s back.

The Golden State Valkyries signed 14-year veteran Tiffany Hayes to a one-year deal on Saturday, bringing her back for her second season with the franchise the day before the start of training camp.

Hayes averaged 11.7 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 26 games last season before she missed the team's final eight regular-season games because of a knee injury that also kept her out of the playoffs.

"Tip helped lay the foundation on and off the court for this team, and that's not something you take for granted," Valkyries general manager Ohemaa Nyanin said in a statement. "She's an experienced leader and veteran player who showed up for the Bay. Being able to welcome Tip back to her second home is truly special."

After recovering from her knee injury last year, she spent the offseason playing for CBK Mersin in Turkey.

The 13-year veteran was an All-Star in 2017 and named to the All-WNBA and All-Defensive teams in 2018. 

The 36-year-old Hayes announced her retirement in 2023 but returned on a one-year contract with the Las Vegas Aces the following season, where she won Sixth Player of the Year before signing with the Valkyries before last season.

Hayes was one of Golden State’s key offensive drivers last season for a team that at times struggled to score, especially around the basket. The additions of Gabby Williams and Juste Jocyte, plus a full season of Iliana Rupert, should have them in a better position and rely a bit less on Hayes.

She had 17 double-digit scoring games, including back-to-back 20-point games last season. But the knee injury dampened her second half and left the Valkyries needing to fill her void, primarily with Cecilia Zandalasini who had a strong post-all-star break.

Hayes’ returning means the Valkyries kept two of their unrestricted free agents. Monique Billings signed a two-year deal in Indiana and Temi Fagbenle joined the Tempo in Toronto’s expansion season on a one-year contract.

But Hayes is in a more crowded lineup in a season without a EuroBasket break, either. They have a lot of players who can play in the two-through-four spots between Zandalasini, Williams, Jocyte, Janelle Salaun and perhaps rookie Marta Suarez.

But what is the roster going to look like? More after the paywall.