SAN FRANCISCO, CA - JUNE 2: Juste Jocyte #4 of the Golden State Valkyries drives to the basket during the game against the Portland Fire on June 2, 2026 at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
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NEW YORK – One of the biggest mysteries of the Golden State Valkyries season has been where Juste Jocyte fits. Over the last two games of their five-game road trip, they got a better look at the rookie.
Jocyte was Golden State’s first round pick in 2025, selected fifth overall out of Lithuania. She stayed overseas last season to prepare for and play in EuroBasket.
After joining Golden State late this season, she had inconsistent playing time, at one time playing 16 minutes against Indiana before barely playing seven minutes per game.
For the 20-year-old rookie, it’s been a learning experience. First head coach Natalie Nakase expressed a desire for her to learn the point guard position, then wanted her to improve as a rebounder and defender. Lately, she’s been asking for Jocyte to up her communication.
“There is a lot of focus on that,” she told The IX Sports before the Valkyries win in New York last week. “Especially playing the point guard position, I have to communicate a lot and share a lot of information. I think I’ve grown a lot there.”
Jocyte played 14 minutes against Connecticut, playing the full fourth quarter as the leader of the “stay ready” group where she had 2 points and three assists. She got in much earlier in Portland while the Valkyries were shorthanded, entering the game in the first frame and playing 21 minutes.
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