The Golden State Valkyries set a record with the highest home game attendance in the 2025 season, with the largest venue in the league. The franchise didn’t let the fans down and reached the playoffs in its inaugural season. For the second year, coach Natalie Nakase has already set the target for the team, and the addition of Gabby Williams highlights how serious the franchise is about achieving the target.
The player is also happy joining the hungry and talented team that would hand her a chance to make a deep playoff run and a shot at the title. She recently played her first game as a Valkyries player, and the atmosphere just shocked the versatile star.
Gabby Williams Shocked By Loudest Atmosphere In Ballhalla
With the growth of women’s basketball popularity, the fanbase plays a vital role in home games, and the franchises thrive on that support. Sophie Cunningham also called the Fever fans the best, and one of the reasons for rejoining the side. The Valkyries’ new addition, though, experienced the Ballhalla support for the first time, as she was on the opposite side last season.
“My first reaction was just shocked that it was a preseason game. If you go back to last year, I remember it being really difficult to play here as an opponent. This is definitely the loudest atmosphere for sure,” Williams said in a recent interview.
“My first reaction was just shocked that it was a preseason game. If you go back to last year, I remember it being really difficult to play here as an opponent. This is definitely the loudest atmosphere for sure.”@valkyries Gabby Williams on the electric energy of Ballhalla 🔥 pic.twitter.com/xB8NHVWdSm
— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) May 1, 2026
Williams provided reasons for joining the Valkyries, while the fanbase was not one of them, but after her first game, it should be an additional motivation to continue with the side.
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The Valkyries also addressed a key issue in their roster by adding the former Storm player. But more importantly, with fellow French stars and other top players, the 29-year-old could fit perfectly into the side.
Gabby Williams Fits Perfectly In Valkyries’ Project
With the new CBA deal, the Valkyries used the ‘massive sum to acquire the former UConn star. After a career-high season and first All-Star call, the forward is ready to impact the game in multiple ways.
She is not only the most experienced WNBA player on a roster that’s heavily reliant on younger players, but she is also the versatile star who can fill in multiple positions with her gameplay. Playing alongside players like Veronica Burton with fellow countrymen Salaun and Rupert (she will help them elevate their game with her own improved skills and stats.
For the third time in her career, Gabby Williams is the #EuroLeagueWomen Defensive Player of the Year! 👏 pic.twitter.com/SknGDjCOsq
— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) April 18, 2026
Fitting perfectly in the fast-paced attack and close defensive gameplay, Williams could be a bigger impact than any other acquisition in the 2026 free agency.