Gabby Williams helped the Golden State Valkyries secure their first WNBA championship, scoring 30 points in a winner-takes-all Game 7 against the Atlanta Dream. In an interview with GQ, the Finals MVP reflected on her decisive second-half performance, the team’s support and her views on trans athletes.
Williams scored 28 points after halftime, a WNBA postseason record, as Golden State recovered from a six-point deficit. She made three consecutive three-pointers, shifting the momentum and helping the Valkyries take the lead. Williams said she only realized later that the shots had come on three straight possessions.
The 30-year-old French-American wing credited her teammates and coaches with helping her stay patient after Atlanta’s defense had made it difficult for her to find a rhythm. At halftime, teammate Veronica Burton asked what she needed; Williams said she was ready to get going. Coaches also encouraged her to take the first opportunity and trust the rest of the game to open up.
Williams said the support reflected the trust within the team. She also described feeling responsible to the fans and community who had backed the Valkyries from their preseason games, as well as to her family, who had traveled to support her.
In the interview, Williams said she would not compromise her character for her career. As a member of the queer community and someone close to many trans people, she said she believes everyone deserves a chance. She also called for more direct engagement between WNBA players and the league’s commissioner, saying players should be heard about their experiences beyond the business’s growth and statistics.
Away from basketball, Williams said she likes cuddling with her cat, Halle Berry, and watching anime. She told GQ that she had been rewatching Attack on Titan with her partner during the Finals and drew inspiration from the character Levi before the championship game.
Sources: GQ.