Gabby Williams said her free agency move to the Golden State Valkyries was driven by defensive fit and a chance to raise her ceiling on both ends of the floor.
Defense sold Gabby Williams on the Golden State Valkyries.
Williams said as much Saturday at her introductory press conference, pointing to the franchise's defensive-minded identity as the system she believes will push her game further.
"What I can add is on the defensive end," Williams said. "I can add a lot to our transition game, I can add in getting to the paint and creating."
Williams led the WNBA with 2.3 steals per game last season for the Seattle Storm and finished the year with 99 steals, one shy of Teresa Weatherspoon's single-season record of 100, set in 1998. She earned her first All-Star selection and a spot on the WNBA All-Defensive first team while posting career highs of 11.6 points and 4.2 assists.
The seven-year veteran agreed to a multi-year contract on April 12, becoming the most significant free agent addition in Golden State's brief history.
Head coach Natalie Nakase, who won Coach of the Year after guiding the Valkyries to the playoffs in their inaugural season, said Williams' two-way profile and unselfishness align with what the team prioritizes.
"To me, she is one of the best two-way players in the world," Nakase said. "When you're selfless, that really fits well with us because we don't have just a couple superstars that take over. We love ball movement. We love the ability that anyone could go off on any given game because that is really guard. We see it as a perfect fit."
The Valkyries became the first WNBA expansion franchise to reach the playoffs in its inaugural season last year, anchored by what Nakase has described as a roster full of "killers." Veronica Burton was named Most Improved Player of the Year.
Williams likened the Valkyries' approach to basketball she has played overseas.
"It's a bit European, very tactical, the ball moves, everybody eats," Williams said. "That's the kind of basketball I want to play."
Individual growth inside that system also factored into her decision.
"Where do I go to raise my ceiling as a player individually?" Williams said. "Being part of a group like this will play into that."
General manager Ohemaa Nyanin said Williams represented the type of player Golden State sought as it builds toward its long-term goals.
"Who Gabby is as an individual is the epitome of what we look for in athletes," Nyanin said.