The Golden State Valkyries have already enjoyed several accolades in their short stint in the WNBA, but the signing of All-Star Gabby Williams should top the list.

During her first press conference, Williams detailed the factors behind her move to Golden State.

"There were three key factors in making my decision," Williams said. "Where am I going to win? Where am I going to be a part of a winning culture? Even though this is a newer team, I feel the competitiveness and the want to win," Williams said.

Williams signed a multiyear contract with the Valkyries on April 12 and is by far their biggest signing since their inception.

The 29-year-old was one of the cornerstones of the Seattle Storm last season, helping them clinch a spot in the playoffs.

Individually, she posted career-high averages of 11.6 points and 4.2 assists, earning her first All-Star and All-Defensive first team honours.

She also led the league in steals per game (2.3) and finished with 99 for the season, just one shy of tying the legendary Teresa Weatherspoon's 100-steal record set in 1998.

Valkyries GM Oheema Nyanin and reigning Coach of the Year Natalie Nakase were absolutely ecstatic with Williams' inclusion in the squad.

"Gabby is as an individual is the epitome of what we look for in athletes," Nyanin said.

"To me, she is one of the best two-way players in the world," Nakase added.

While Gabby revealed that the culture of the Valkyries off-court was something she "really needed right now", her decision to join the Bay Area also has family ties involved in it.

Gabby Williams has Family Ties in the Bay Area

Williams grew up in Alameda, just across the Bay Bridge and a few minutes' ride to the Valkyries' training facility.

In addition, her late father had roots in Oakland, while she also has her extended family situated in the East Bay. Her younger brother Matt played basketball at Cal State East Bay, and her sister Jayda Noble plays for Cal.

Williams spent summers in Alameda, playing for two different local AAU teams, the Alameda Bulldogs and the Mission Rec Center Rebels.

Her return to the Bay Area connects her to her roots in Alameda.

"Gabby has deep roots in the Bay Area, and she is coming home," Nyanin said. "The community is going to love her, and she's going to love it here."

The feeling of familiarity does not stop for Williams, who will be joining French teammates  Janelle Salaün and Iliana Rupert, who both signed multiyear contracts with the Valkyries over the weekend. The trio won a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The Valkyries finished last season with a 23-21 win/loss record. There is no doubt that Williams will elevate the Valkyries in just their second season in the league by becoming the heart of the team.

So, at what position do you think the Valkyries finish in the regular season?

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Written by

Joy Bassy

Edited by

Utsav Gupta