Four former UConn women’s basketball stars win WNBA title with Valkyries

On Saturday night, the Golden State Valkyries claimed the WNBA championship title, marking a triumphant return of four former University of Connecticut women's basketball stars: Gabby Williams, Kiah Stokes, Tiffany Hayes, and Kaitlyn Chen. Williams, who delivered one of the most remarkable performances in postseason history, scored 28 of her game-high 30 points in the final two quarters, setting the record for the most points scored in a single half in the WNBA Finals.

She joins a distinguished list of UConn players, including Diana Taurasi, Maya Moore, and Breanna Stewart, who have all won Finals MVP. The Valkyries faced adversity throughout the seven-game series, trailing by as much as nine points in the second half, but Williams' stellar performance in the third quarter turned the tide, as she scored the final thirteen points for Golden State.

Following the game, Williams praised the team's resilience, stating, "All we heard last year was that we don't have stars. We don't have talent. Yeah, right. We got good people. We got winners. We got people who are ready to put their bodies on the floor to win a game." Stokes, signed in the offseason to replace injured starter Iliana Rupert, had a pivotal role in the championship run.

Thrust into a starting role just one day before the season opener, Stokes held Dream star Angel Reese to eight points on 3-of-7 shooting in the decisive game, solidifying her place as a crucial player. At 36 years old, Tiffany Hayes, who previously retired from the sport, returned to play for Golden State. Despite her age, Hayes remained a dynamic scorer, contributing 11 points in Game 7 and playing an instrumental part in the Valkyries' success throughout the playoffs.

Hayes expressed her gratitude for investing in women's sports, emphasizing the broader impact of the achievement. Kaitlyn Chen, the youngest of the four, made a remarkable comeback to the WNBA after initially being drafted and cut by the Valkyries. Her recent leap in performance earned her a spot on the championship team, contributing significantly to the Golden State's victory.