Golden State officially introduced All-Star Gabby Williams on Saturday as the most significant free agent signing in the Valkyries' short franchise history.
The Golden State Valkyries officially introduced Gabby Williams on Saturday, formally welcoming the WNBA All-Star guard who represents the most significant free agent signing in the franchise's brief history.
Williams, who agreed to a multi-year contract on April 12, joined Valkyries general manager Ohemaa Nyanin and head coach Natalie Nakase at a press conference ahead of the team's preseason opener against the Seattle Storm.
"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 averaged career highs of 11.6 points and 4.2 assists last season for Seattle while leading the WNBA with 2.3 steals per game. Her 99 steals on the year fell one shy of Teresa Weatherspoon's single-season record of 100, set in 1998. The seven-year veteran earned her first All-Star selection and a spot on the WNBA All-Defensive first team.
Nakase, the reigning WNBA Coach of the Year, called Williams one of the top two-way players in the world.
"To me, she is one of the best two-way players in the world," Nakase said. "In terms of fit, we are going to see. But when you're selfless, that really fits well with us because we don't have just a couple superstars that take over."
Nyanin framed the signing within the franchise's longer-term ambitions.
"The journey of building a championship is what we are working towards daily," Nyanin said. "And as Mr. Joe [Lacob] says, we are on the clock. Who Gabby is as an individual is the epitome of what we look for in athletes."
The Valkyries became the first WNBA expansion team to reach the playoffs in its inaugural season last year, with guard Veronica Burton earning Most Improved Player honors.
Williams said the on-court style and culture surrounding the team made it the right destination.
"The way the [organization's] brain works is how my brain works," Williams said. "This felt like a system that I would play well in. It's a bit European, very tactical, the ball moves, everybody eats."