The Golden State Valkyries built an exciting roster during the 2024 expansion draft – 11 players, some big names, and plenty of potential. One of the names that caught attention was Iliana Rupert. But a few fans were left wondering…why wasn’t she in the WNBA last year?
Well, Rupert actually has two years of WNBA experience under her belt. She played for the Las Vegas Aces in 2022 and the Atlanta Dream in 2023. In fact, she was part of that 2022 championship-winning Aces squad. That was under the same Natalie Nakase, who was then an assistant coach and is now heading the Valkyries. But she sat out for 2024 season. Still, how much has Rupert earned from her WNBA journey so far?
What Is Iliana Rupert’s Net Worth?
As of now, Iliana Rupert’s exact net worth hasn’t been publicly disclosed. However, based on her contract history and reported earnings, it’s safe to say she’s done fairly well early in her professional basketball career.
Iliana Rupert’s Contract Breakdown
Iliana Rupert signed a 3-year rookie contract worth $179,452 with the Las Vegas Aces. That came with an average annual salary of about $59,817. But on February 6, 2023, she was waived by Las Vegas. Just a few days later, the Atlanta Dream claimed her off waivers on February 11.
She played the 2023 season with Atlanta before sitting out the 2024 season entirely to prepare for the Olympics. Then came December 6, 2024 and Rupert was drafted by the Golden State Valkyries in the expansion draft. However, she has not yet officially signed with them.
According to journalist Tom Compayrot, Rupert is expected to join the Valkyries around July 15, once her overseas and national team duties wrap up. But there’s been no official confirmation from Golden State just yet.
Iliana Rupert (overseas commitment) expected to join Valkyries around July 15, per @Tom_Cprt.
— Underdog WNBA (@UnderdogWNBA) July 5, 2025
Iliana Rupert’s Career Earnings
Year
Team
Salary
2022
Las Vegas Aces
$37,420
2023
Atlanta Dream
$67,634
2024
Atlanta Dream
$74,398
Total Career Earnings: $179,452
Iliana Rupert’s College and Professional Career
While Rupert might not be a household name in the U.S. just yet, she’s a huge deal back home in France. In fact, basketball runs in her family. Her father, Thierry Rupert, played professionally in France for nearly two decades, and her brother, Rayan Rupert, was the 43rd overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Portland Trail Blazers.
Rayan once said, “My sister was pretty famous in the basketball world in France… So every time I went somewhere, people were like, ‘Oh, you’re the son of Thierry Rupert and the sister of Iliana. OK.’” But Rupert didn’t play college basketball. Instead, she turned pro straight out of high school and joined Bourges Basket, a top team in the French league and EuroLeague Women. Her WNBA journey began in 2022 when the Las Vegas Aces drafted her 12th overall. After a rookie year that ended with a championship, she moved to the Atlanta Dream for 2023.
Statistically, her WNBA numbers haven’t been eye-popping – 2.7 points, 2.1 rebounds per game on 42% shooting (33.3% from three) – but she’s proven herself on bigger stages. Most recently, she played a key role for Team France in the 2024 Paris Olympics, helping them earn a silver medal. Across the tournament, she averaged 7.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and shot 44.4% from the field. Her biggest game came in the semifinals against Belgium, where she scored 15 points and pulled down 7 boards, with 3 steals and a block. Even in EuroLeague action this year, Rupert has continued to shine.
Undoubtedly, she brings leadership, size, and high-level experience at just 23 years old. On top of everything, Nakase knows her well from their time in Las Vegas, and Rupert fits the Valkyries’ mold perfectly: mobile, skilled, and ready to stretch the floor. At 6’4”, she’s a modern center with great shooting ability and strong basketball instincts.
Now we just wait for Golden State to make it official. And once she’s in uniform, the Valkyries might have a real gem on their hands.
The post What Is Iliana Rupert’s Net Worth and Salary in 2025? appeared first on EssentiallySports.
