Carla Leite
Carla Leite (born 16 April 2004) is a French professional basketball player who plays for the Golden State Valkyries of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and for Casademont Zaragoza of the Liga Femenina de Baloncesto in Spain. A 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) guard, she was selected ninth overall by the Dallas Wings in the 2024 WNBA draft. In 2025, she captured the EuroCup Women title and was named EuroCup Women Finals MVP, establishing herself as one of the top young guards in European basketball.
Early Life and Background
Carla Leite was born on 16 April 2004 in Poissy, Yvelines, France. She grew up in Poissy and played several sports during her childhood, including association football and tennis. She first tried basketball at age nine and later said she “started to get serious” about the game at age 13.
Leite began her club career with ES Lorguaise before moving to Draguignan UC, where she joined the U11 team and quickly advanced to the U13 squad. At 13, she moved an hour away from home to train with Pôle d’Antibes, where she spent several formative seasons. In 2019, she enrolled at Tony Parker Academy in France, an institution tied to the country’s elite basketball development pipeline, while playing for the junior team of Lyon ASVEL. She played three years for Lyon and attracted national attention after scoring 27 points in the finals of the 2022 U18 French Cup, a narrow loss to USO Mondeville.
Path to Basketball
Leite’s path to professional basketball accelerated during her teenage years in France. After her performance in the 2022 U18 French Cup, Ligue Féminine de Basketball (LFB) clubs took notice of her scoring and playmaking ability. She signed her first professional contract at age 18 with Tarbes, the top women’s league in France, marking her transition from promising junior to full-time professional.
Her international experience further shaped her development. Leite first represented France at the 2021 U17 3×3 European Cup and was later selected for the 2022 FIBA U18 Women’s European Championship, though she had to withdraw because of injury. She returned to the international stage at the 2023 FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship, where she averaged 18.4 points and 4.3 assists, leading France to the title over Latvia and earning both all-star honors and tournament MVP recognition. Although she was on an 18-player candidate list for the 2024 Paris Olympics, she did not make the final 12-player roster.
Carla Leite Career
Early Career at Tarbes (2022–2024)
Leite joined Tarbes of the Ligue Féminine de Basketball ahead of the 2022–23 season. In her rookie year, she averaged 11.8 points and 2.9 assists per game, performances that earned her recognition as the league’s best young player. Her smooth transition to the professional ranks signaled her potential as a future French basketball star.
In her second season with Tarbes, Leite elevated her production, averaging 15.8 points, 5.5 assists, and 2.5 rebounds per game, and was selected to the league all-star team. Her play during these two seasons established her as one of the most exciting guards in French women’s basketball and drew attention from top European clubs.
Villeneuve d’Ascq and EuroCup Triumph (2024–2025)
In June 2024, Leite signed with Villeneuve d’Ascq, one of France’s premier women’s basketball programs. With Villeneuve d’Ascq, she quickly became a central figure in the team’s European campaign, leading the club through the 2024–25 EuroCup Women tournament.
Leite guided Villeneuve d’Ascq to the EuroCup Women championship and was named Finals MVP after averaging 20.5 points, 6.0 assists, and 2.5 rebounds across the title series. The triumph marked the biggest club achievement of her early career and reinforced her reputation on the continental stage.
Casademont Zaragoza Era (2025–Present)
In 2025, Leite signed a two-year contract with Casademont Zaragoza of Spain’s Liga Femenina de Baloncesto, continuing her development in another top European league. The move allowed her to compete in Spanish basketball while maintaining her WNBA commitments.
During her time in Spain, Leite contributed to Casademont Zaragoza’s run to a third-place finish at the 2026 EuroLeague Women Final Six, adding another notable European performance to her résumé. Her role with Zaragoza remains a key part of her professional schedule alongside her WNBA duties.
Golden State Valkyries Era (2025–Present)
After being selected ninth overall by the Dallas Wings in the 2024 WNBA draft, Leite chose to remain overseas for the 2024 season. On 6 December 2024, she was selected as the Golden State Valkyries’ pick from the Dallas Wings’ roster in the 2024 WNBA expansion draft, joining the league’s newest franchise.
Leite signed a rookie scale contract with the Valkyries on 21 February 2025. She made her WNBA debut on 16 May, scoring 2 points in 11 minutes off the bench in a 67–84 loss to the Los Angeles Sparks in the franchise’s first-ever game. Five days later, she contributed 10 points in the Valkyries’ first-ever win, a 76–74 victory over the Washington Mystics, and on 23 May, she scored a career-high 19 points in an 82–73 win over the Sparks. On 14 June, she made her first WNBA career start, scoring 14 points in a 76–70 win over the Seattle Storm.
Driving Style and Strengths
As a guard, Leite combines scoring instincts with strong playmaking vision, regularly posting high assist totals alongside her point production. Her comfort in transition, ability to create off the dribble, and consistency in high-pressure moments have made her a reliable lead guard for her teams. Her court awareness and scoring range allow her to operate effectively as both a primary ball handler and a perimeter shooter.
Notable Events and Milestones
Leite’s most prominent milestone came in 2025 when she led Villeneuve d’Ascq to the EuroCup Women title and earned Finals MVP honors. She also made WNBA history as part of the Golden State Valkyries’ inaugural roster, scoring the first points in franchise history and helping secure the team’s first victory. Her selection in the 2024 WNBA draft as the ninth overall pick further marked her as one of the most accomplished young French guards of her generation.
Carla Leite Career Wins
Carla Leite’s career wins include the 2025 EuroCup Women championship with Villeneuve d’Ascq, where she was named Finals MVP. She has also been recognized individually as the Ligue Féminine de Basketball’s best young player in 2023, an LFB all-star in 2024, and MVP and all-star of the 2023 FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship.
EuroCup Women Highlights
Leite’s EuroCup Women campaign with Villeneuve d’Ascq in 2024–25 stands as her most decorated club achievement. She led the team to the title and earned Finals MVP honors, averaging 20.5 points, 6.0 assists, and 2.5 rebounds across the championship series, a performance that established her as a premier European guard.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond her EuroCup success, Leite helped France win the 2023 FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship, where she was named tournament MVP and an all-star. She also led Casademont Zaragoza to a third-place finish at the 2026 EuroLeague Women Final Six, highlighting her continued impact at the top European level.
Carla Leite Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Carla Leite’s family background is limited. She grew up in Poissy, Yvelines, and began her athletic journey playing multiple sports before focusing on basketball at age nine.
Personal Life
Details about Carla Leite’s personal life, including marital status and family, are not publicly confirmed in available sources. She continues to focus on her professional basketball career across Europe and the WNBA.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked a breakthrough year for Carla Leite on multiple fronts. With Villeneuve d’Ascq, she led the club to the EuroCup Women championship and was named Finals MVP, cementing her status as one of Europe’s top young guards. She then transitioned to Casademont Zaragoza in Spain, signing a two-year contract to compete in the Liga Femenina de Baloncesto.
Her WNBA season with the Golden State Valkyries proved equally historic, as she became part of the franchise’s inaugural roster. She debuted on 16 May, helped secure the team’s first-ever win on 21 May, scored a career-high 19 points on 23 May, and made her first career start on 14 June. Her rookie contributions gave the expansion franchise an early identity built on energy and guard play.
Looking ahead, Leite’s dual commitments in the WNBA and in Spain position her for continued growth. With the Valkyries building their identity and Casademont Zaragoza competing in Spanish and European competition, her 2025 campaign laid a strong foundation for sustained success at both the domestic and international levels.