Oakland — Valkyries' Gabby Williams Says Media Never Respected Her

Gabby Williams said the media has never respected her, even as her play has carried the Golden State Valkyries into the WNBA Finals, according to the New York Post.

What did Williams say about media coverage?

"The media's never respected me. I've never expected them to. So that's always been in the back of my head," Williams told reporters ahead of Saturday's series opener against the Atlanta Dream, the Post reported. "Not in the back of my head, but I've never paid any mind to it. So, if media's praising me now, I don't care."

How has Williams performed this postseason?

Williams, a 30-year-old forward, has averaged 22.7 points per game across eight playoff contests, the Post reported, up sharply from her regular-season mark. She helped Golden State sweep the Las Vegas Aces in three games during the semifinals. During the regular season, the Valkyries went 32-12, and Williams posted a team-high, career-best 14.4 points per game while finishing as runner-up for Defensive Player of the Year, according to the Post.

What is her background before Golden State?

Williams was the fourth overall pick by the Chicago Sky in the 2018 WNBA Draft and spent her first eight professional seasons split between the Sky and the Seattle Storm, the Post reported. She made her first All-Star team last season and played collegiately at UConn. She signed as a free agent with the Valkyries in April.

What have other players said to her during the playoff run?

Williams described messages of support from rivals and peers after Golden State eliminated Las Vegas. "What has touched me the most has been, like, I'm hugging [Aces star] Jewell [Lloyd] after the game and we beat them, and she's telling me 'this is your moment now,'" Williams said, according to the Post. "Paige [Bueckers of Dallas] reached out to me, AC [Ally Clark of Dallas] reached out to me. Sue Bird. All these players who have seen closely what I have gone through my entire career, and who have reached out to me in support. That's really touched me."

What happens next in the WNBA Finals?

The Valkyries opened the Finals at home against the Dream on Saturday, as detailed in HTT News' series preview. Golden State is seeking a title in just its second season of existence.

What to watch

• Whether Williams sustains her 22.7-point playoff scoring pace against Atlanta's defense.
• How the Dream, on what the Post described as a hot playoff streak, respond in Game 1.
• Any further comments from Williams on media coverage as the Finals progress.
• Golden State's push to close out a championship in its sophomore season.

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