In the world of professional sports, especially within the WNBA where team rosters are limited and competition is fierce, it’s not uncommon for difficult decisions to be made during preseason. For the Golden State Valkyries, the start of the 2025 season came with a few unexpected moves. Among them was the waiving of multiple promising players including Latricia Amihere, Kaitlyn Chen, and Migna Touré. These roster cuts stirred mixed reactions across the fanbase, particularly because of the potential these players brought to the table. While the public backlash highlighted the emotional connection fans had with these athletes, the Valkyries’ management stood firm in their belief that the moves were strategic and necessary given their vision for the season. As the season unfolded, the team’s success helped justify the difficult calls.
For Migna Touré, a promising guard from France who had made headlines with her talent and determination, getting waived before the season even began was a crushing blow. However, this was far from the end of her WNBA journey. With only 12 slots on a WNBA roster, many talented players often find themselves on the outside looking in—not because they aren’t good enough, but because the math just doesn’t work in their favor. Touré, ever resilient and unwavering in her pursuit of success, has now managed to claw her way back into the league, this time with a different franchise—the Connecticut Sun.
Let’s unpack her journey, from her short-lived tenure with the Golden State Valkyries to her fresh opportunity with the Sun. We’ll take an in-depth look at her contractual details, performance history, and the potential road ahead.
A Look Back: Migna Touré and the Valkyries
The start of 2025 offered a promising yet uncertain pathway for Migna Touré. After performing well in Europe and catching the eye of scouts, Touré was offered a training camp contract by the Golden State Valkyries. This deal essentially served as an audition. A training camp contract does not guarantee a spot on the final roster; instead, it gives players a chance to prove themselves during the limited preseason period. If successful, the player earns a full-season contract. In Touré’s case, had she been retained, the deal would have converted into a one-year agreement worth $66,079—standard for incoming players without prior WNBA tenure. Notably, the contract came without a signing bonus and carried a cap hit equal to her base salary.
Unfortunately, despite showing promise and logging minutes in two preseason matchups, Touré was released before the regular season kicked off. Golden State’s head coach Natalie Nakase praised Touré for her fearless approach to the game and her tenacity during training camp. Yet, with only a dozen spots available and tough competition from both veterans and fellow rookies, Nakase had to make difficult cuts. Touré was among those let go, and her release meant that she did not receive the full salary associated with a season-long contract. Instead, she received an undisclosed per-day stipend for her time in camp, a typical arrangement for players in her situation. Because she was waived prior to the regular season, her contract did not count against the team’s salary cap.
The Valkyries’ decision to part ways with Touré, Amihere, and Chen caused some stir among the fanbase, with many questioning the direction of the team and the rationale behind cutting high-upside players. Still, as the season progressed and the Valkyries showed strong performances, some of that skepticism was quelled. For Touré, though, the cut marked a turning point—an abrupt detour in her pursuit of a lasting WNBA career.
Redemption Begins: A New Chapter With the Connecticut Sun
Not one to be discouraged, Touré returned to Europe and quickly reminded the basketball world of her skillset during the 2025 FIBA Women’s EuroBasket. Representing the French national team, she delivered an impressive performance across six games, averaging 9.7 points and 2.8 assists. Her scoring instincts and dynamic court vision helped France compete at a high level. It was also during this tournament that Touré shared the court with Leïla Lacan, a fellow guard and rookie for the Connecticut Sun. Lacan’s own stellar play—averaging 9.8 points and 2.0 assists—didn’t go unnoticed in the WNBA, and it likely played a role in reuniting the pair stateside.
On July 21, 2025, the Connecticut Sun announced the signing of Migna Touré to a seven-day contract. Though short in duration, such contracts offer players like Touré a crucial window to prove themselves on the professional stage. The team, dealing with injuries and seeking fresh energy, turned to Touré to help fortify their backcourt. The specific financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed due to team policy, but standard seven-day contracts typically offer a prorated version of the WNBA’s minimum salary and rarely include signing bonuses or performance incentives.
Still, for Touré, this wasn’t just a week-long audition—it was a potential lifeline. The league is full of stories of players who turned temporary deals into full-season commitments, such as Aari McDonald, who began 2025 on an emergency hardship contract before locking down a full-season spot with the Indiana Fever. For Touré, the opportunity with Connecticut represents both a second chance and a clean slate.
The Broader Implications of Her Journey
Touré’s path reflects a broader reality in the WNBA. With limited roster spots and salary cap restrictions, many capable athletes find themselves cycling in and out of the league. It’s not uncommon for international standouts or late-round draftees to start with training camp deals, only to be waived before the regular season. For many, this would be a deterrent. But players like Touré, who are fueled by passion and perseverance, keep pushing forward.
Her decision to remain competitive in Europe, particularly during EuroBasket, speaks volumes about her commitment to improvement. While the WNBA may be the pinnacle of women’s basketball, the European circuit offers its own high level of competition. Touré’s performance on that stage undoubtedly reignited interest in her services, and it’s no coincidence that a team like the Sun—known for giving underdogs a shot—came calling.
Moreover, Touré’s reunion with Leïla Lacan brings a layer of familiarity and chemistry to Connecticut’s backcourt. For a team that’s struggled with consistency and depth, especially due to injuries and underperformance in the 2025 season, this tandem could provide a much-needed spark. Lacan, though still adjusting to the rigors of the WNBA, has displayed promise. If Touré can complement that with her EuroBasket momentum, there’s every possibility the seven-day contract could evolve into something more permanent.
Analyzing the Valkyries’ Roster Strategy
While much of the spotlight is on Touré and her redemption arc, it’s also important to revisit the Valkyries’ controversial roster decisions. Letting go of three young, promising players in Touré, Amihere, and Chen sent shockwaves through the WNBA community. Yet the Valkyries’ approach appears calculated. The franchise, one of the newer additions to the league, entered 2025 with a clear mission: build a competitive team that can perform immediately.
In pursuit of that, they emphasized veterans and highly experienced international players in their final roster. As their season has progressed, the strategy has yielded results. That said, fans have not entirely forgotten the young prospects who were cut during training camp. Touré’s return to the league only adds to the narrative—perhaps the Valkyries were too quick to dismiss potential, or perhaps Touré needed a different environment to truly thrive.
What Lies Ahead for Touré?
As of now, Migna Touré is on a clock. Her seven-day contract with the Connecticut Sun is a small window through which she must make a lasting impression. The Sun, struggling for consistent guard play and facing depth issues, may just be the perfect environment for Touré to showcase what she brings to the court. If she can contribute with efficiency, energy, and versatility, it’s possible that her deal could be extended—perhaps to a second seven-day stint, or even to a rest-of-season contract.
Her immediate challenge will be to acclimate quickly to the Sun’s playbook and coaching style. Fortunately, her chemistry with Leïla Lacan provides a bridge for communication and court awareness. Additionally, Touré’s experience from EuroBasket has kept her game sharp, so she won’t be entering the WNBA cold. If she can translate that same intensity and effectiveness from Europe to the Connecticut floor, she could carve out a role for herself—even beyond this season.
Conclusion: A Test of Resilience and Readiness
Migna Touré’s ongoing story in the WNBA is emblematic of what many athletes face when chasing their dreams in one of the world’s most competitive leagues. Being waived by the Golden State Valkyries was undoubtedly a setback—but one that she didn’t allow to define her. Instead, she used the disappointment as fuel, returned to Europe to refine her game, and emerged stronger during a major international tournament.
Now, with the Connecticut Sun offering her another shot, she must again prove her worth. Though the contract may be short-term, the implications are huge. A strong performance could stabilize her standing in the league and open doors for more secure opportunities.
In the unpredictable and often unforgiving world of the WNBA, Migna Touré’s story stands out—not just because of her skill, but because of her resilience. She is living proof that while the road to the top may have twists and turns, those who stay committed can still find their way. Her journey is still unfolding, and with determination and opportunity on her side, the best may be yet to come.
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