“You Gotta Play Through The Playoffs”: Natalie Nakase Sees No Competition for Gabby Williams After Valkyries Star’s Finals MVP

Gabby Williams grew up with deep roots in the Bay Area through family and early basketball. At just nine, Williams’ childhood coach, Alfonso Joo, helped her develop her game further, calling her “special” from day one. Now, more than two decades later, Williams has led a Bay Area franchise to its first WNBA championship in just its second season of existence as the Finals MVP. It has been a full-circle journey for the Golden State Valkyries star forward, who just received an icing-on-the-cake recognition from her current head coach, Natalie Nakase. “To me, the MVP is the Finals MVP.