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SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 02: Cecilia Zandalasini #24 of the Golden State Valkyries shoots a three-point shot over Carla Leite #0 of the Portland Fire in the first half during a WNBA Commissioner's Cup game at Chase Center on June 2, 2026 in San Francisco, California.(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES — Last week, Carla Leite took in the familiar feeling of being cheered on at Chase Center. She wore a Portland Fire jersey, not the Golden State Valkyries one of a season ago but was met with an ovation when announced to the Ballhalla crowd.
This week, she lined up against Kate Martin and tried to push through her, ultimately getting fouled. Martin patted Leite on the shoulder in acknowledgement, and they went their separate ways.
After helping form the inaugural Valkyries squad, both have moved on. For Leite, she’s found herself in familiar territory on an expansion team, but in a far larger role.
“It’s different here,” she told Valkyries Beat ahead of the Fire’s 89-72 loss to the Sparks on Sunday. “I have a lot more responsibility. I feel trusted by my coaches, teammates, and I am trying to stay myself on the court.”
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