UConn head coach Geno Auriemma has praised Gabby Williams for overcoming adversity throughout her career before playing a starring role in the Golden State Valkyries' 2026 WNBA Championship run.

The Valkyries star was named the WNBA Finals MVP, averaging 19.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.6 steals during the seven-game series against the Atlanta Dream. In Game 7, Williams, who played under Auriemma at UConn, scored 30 points, 28 of which came in the second half.

She was not the only former UConn star on the Valkyries' championship roster, with Williams joined by Kiah Stokes, Tiffany Hayes and Kaitlyn Chen, a fact Auriemma is very proud of.

During the fourth quarter of Game 7, 21 of Golden State's 33 points were scored by former Huskies. Hayes scored 11 points, while Stokes had eight points alongside 13 rebounds.

"When you think about their careers, they didn’t leave here and immediately have years like Stewie [Breanna Stewart] or Diana [Taurasi] or Maya [Moore]," said Auriemma recently, via CT Insider.

"They left here and worked at it, and worked at it, and worked at it, all in very different situations, and made the most of who they are."

In Williams' case, the road to the top of the WNBA was a long one. Drafted by the Chicago Sky in 2018, she spent time in the Windy City whilst also playing overseas.

She was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks in 2021, before then being acquired by the Seattle Storm, a team she left last year to join the Valkyries ahead of the 2026 WNBA season.

The road Williams took was something else Auriemma was proud of, and he hailed his former UConn player for the success she has achieved.

"Gabby was in Chicago, then L.A., and then she was traded to Seattle. Who would have thought she would have the type of success she had?" added Auriemma.

"She went overseas, and then all of a sudden, she was in the perfect place, at the perfect time, in the right environment. To me, that’s the biggest thing for Gabby."

Following the Valkyries' championship victory, Williams explained that the move to Golden State worked out perfectly for her, ultimately showing her the importance of surrounding herself with love.

"I would tell [little] Gabby, how important, how far love can go," Williams said. "I definitely lost that. Just thinking about 'What's the next thing, what's the next thing?' But then, the best thing is sometimes right in front of you. It's people who love you, it's the people you love. That's what got me going tonight. That's what's got me going all season."

She added, "I showed up new. The team already had a culture and relationships established, but I walked into a group full of love.

"That changed the entire trajectory of my career. I think little Gabby would love to hear she's surrounded by love."