How Gabby Williams’ winding road eventually led to her destination: WNBA Finals MVP

Gabby Williams has made quite the journey to reach the WNBA Finals MVP title. Born and raised in the Bay Area, her commute to games at the Chase Center in San Francisco has been a constant reminder of the pressure placed on her and her team, the Golden State Valkyries. Golden State owner Joe Lacob made a bold promise to win a championship within five years of the team's inception, a lofty goal that many expansion teams couldn't hope to achieve.

However, for Williams, this expectation was not just about winning games - it was about trusting her coach Natalie Nakase and the organization she chose to join.

Nakase, known for her patient and trusting coaching style, took the time to get to know her players beyond the basketball court, building trust through vulnerability and open conversations. Williams, who had never won a WNBA title before, had a chance to prove herself when the Valkyries clinched their first championship. Williams played in 12 playoff games in her career, which was no small feat considering she had only played 4 seasons previously.

In Game 7, where the Valkyries were trailing by six points in the first half with only 20 minutes left in the season, Williams had a chance to show her trust in Nakase and the team. Despite her struggles from the three-point line earlier in the series, Williams dropped 28 points in the second half, shooting 4 of 6 from beyond the arc in the final 20 minutes of the game.

This unshakable trust and patience in herself and her team paid off, as Williams was named the Finals MVP, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the Golden State Valkyries.