NFL
By: Ashmere Prasad
It’s been two days since the Valkyries were named the 2026 WNBA Champions and celebrated another historic franchise moment. Halloween at Boohalla was a whirlwind; as the clock wound down, the arena erupted, Veronica Burton chucked the ball across the court, and the entire team embraced at the logo. Confetti rained from the ceiling, and a sea of violet cheered louder than ever. Gabby Williams tied a finals record with 30 points and willed Golden State to victory. She was named MVP, and as the broadcast team made its way down the line of players celebrating their season accolades, everyone in the arena wore a smile and had tears in their eyes.
On Monday morning, the media had one final chance to speak with the players before the parade on Wednesday, and then everyone went their separate ways. Here’s what we learned from the exit interviews.
Kaitlyn Chen & Justė Jocytė
- Kaitlyn Chen’s hot dog costume was a huge hit, of course, and Justė Jocytė said she came in early to see it. She also said if they lost Game 7, it would have been the biggest meme on the internet.
- Eric Apricot asked Jocytė about an interview in which she found peace on the bench.
- “When the playoffs started, that’s where it clicked. Obviously you want to fight for yourself and get playing time, but when the finals were approaching, I don’t think the team can have that kind of attitude of being sad or mad. That’s when the peace came, actually, and then it was just being there for my teammates.”
- https://x.com/ashmereprasad/status/2117318896156115282?s=20
- Chen also shared that Burton hosts her and Jocytė for dinners from time to time; Burton said she always has extra food made in case Chen ends up on her doorstep, which happens often.
- Chen’s post-season plan is to play in Unrivaled, while Jocytė will participate in Project B.
Laeticia Amihere & Aminata Gueye
- Amihere on her inconsistent minutes: “I just want to win, and it’s a blessing to play basketball and play in the WNBA. Every single time I go out there, I don’t take it for granted.”
- Both LA and Ami are so grateful to represent West Africa and show “other little girls that their dreams are possible”
- Kayla Thornton is the leader of the dance circles, and everyone avoids eye contact with her so they don’t get picked to be in the center of the circle.
- LA is looking to get bigger in the offseason and work on finishing around the rim.
- Gueye will work with the national team and then play overseas in Prague, while LA heads to Project B.
Kaila Charles, Cecilia Zandalasini & Kayla Thornton
- They are still soaking in the moment of the victory; it hasn’t truly hit them yet.
- KT and Ceci haven’t considered their free agency this offseason. Ceci would love to come back; she loves the Bay and feels comfortable here.
- Ceci wants Natalie to take a break from watching tape because she needs a break from work. “Watch basketball to enjoy it, but don’t watch film.” Everyone laughed.
- Charles said Nakase has changed the way she watches film now and that has improved her basketball IQ
Tiffany Hayes & Veronica Burton
- Tip walked in and greeted the trophy, ‘Hey girl, long time no see.’
- Tip wants this season to be put in a museum because what they accomplished in a short time was amazing.
- Tip is extremely proud of how VB found her voice in the finals and how she grew as a leader.
- https://x.com/ashmereprasad/status/2117342968814419995?s=20
- Tip doesn’t plan on retiring, and she would love to come back to the Valkyries.
- When Gabby went off in Game 7, Tip was in awe and asked, ‘What was that? What did you just do?!” VB said she felt like a fan witnessing the greatness of that game and the moment she led them to win.
- Tip said one of the most special things about this group is that the entire team gelled. They all have different personalities, and they got together so well so quickly.
- For VB, the day everyone came to her house in Boston during the road trip is a memory she will cherish forever.
- Tip and VB will both participate in Unrivaled in January.
Gabby Williams & Kiah Stokes
- Gabby walked in and pet the trophy
- Gabby is now celebrated among the great Bay Area athletes, and she is still absorbing the moment because, unfortunately, they will never have this exact team again.
- When Zendaya came to Ballhalla, Gabby noticed when an E-40 song came on, she danced like an Oakland native, and Gabby said, ‘You can’t take the Oakland out of Zendaya.’ I loved that because it’s true you can’t take the Bay Area style of dancing out of the OG Oakland natives. “It’s a culture and a familial feeling.’
- Kiah wants it to be Halloween again, with costumes and everything as a big party.
- Gabby wants her teammates to see how the Bay actually celebrates.
- Gabby was in bed at midnight after the game; Kiah called her lame.
- There is no Golden State without Oakland – Gabby Williams
- Kiah is tired, and her body hurts; Gabby said her knee is fine.
- Michael Jordan texted Gabby on Monday morning; she kept it cool when she shared that news.
- This parade is one of the first for the younger generation, and Kiah is so excited to see the support pour in from the fans at the parade.
- ‘My rookie year, we were wearing shirts that said, ‘Put women’s sports on TV.’
- Gabby will be at Unrivaled, and I’m not sure about Kiah.
The exit interviews were filled with so many smiles, but everyone also touched on the fact that after the parade, their teammates will go their separate ways. Everyone is living in the moment, still shocked, but soaking in every second they have with this team right now. You know how the Graduation song from Vitamin C makes you emotional no matter how old you are? That is the vibe the players were giving off with their answers and how it will never be this team again.
