In San Francisco, just about everyone knows the Golden State Valkyries by now. Launched in 2025, the WNBA’s newest franchise quickly became one of the biggest phenomena in American women’s sports, drawing impressive crowds to the Chase Center game after game and building an exceptionally passionate fan base.
For the French community in the San Francisco Bay Area, there is an added source of pride: several French players are now part of the team, starting with French-American Gabby Williams, who has become one of the WNBA’s most recognizable players.
That pride grew even stronger following the Women’s Basketball World Cup, which has just wrapped up in Berlin. For the first time in their history, Les Bleues reached the final against the United States, with two Valkyries players on the French roster: team captain Gabby Williams and Janelle Salaün. And the French connection does not stop there: the Valkyries have just signed Aminata Gueye, who was also part of the French national team in Berlin.
An Olympic silver medalist with France at the Paris 2024 Games and a bronze medalist in Tokyo in 2021, Williams quickly established herself as one of the Valkyries’ leaders thanks to her defense, energy and versatility. Her arrival in the Bay Area this year marks a new chapter in an already remarkable career split between the WNBA and the French national team.
One of the standout moments of her first season with the Valkyries came during the Pride Game on June 26. After a win powered by a huge fourth quarter, Williams turned toward the television cameras and enthusiastically declared, “For the gays!” — a playful reference to a Cheryl Reeve comment that had gone viral a few days earlier.
Williams later explained how much Pride Night meant to her in San Francisco, a city whose history and values of inclusion strongly resonate with those of the Valkyries.
The moment perfectly captured the identity of the franchise. The Golden State Valkyries have quickly distinguished themselves as an organization that goes beyond simply providing a welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community, placing inclusion at the heart of their culture and identity.
Gabby Williams is also set to appear in Courtside, an upcoming queer romantic comedy inspired by the world of women’s basketball, alongside several WNBA personalities.
For the Bay Area’s French community, Williams is a natural bridge between two cultures. French-American, a French international, and in a relationship with Marine Johannès — another Les Bleues star who plays in the WNBA for the New York Liberty — she embodies a new generation of players making their mark on both sides of the Atlantic.
CHICAGO, IL – JULY 25: Gabby Williams #1 of Team Coop arrives at the arena before the game against Team Spoon during the 2026 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game on July 25, 2026 at United Center in Chicago, IL. Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Mike Lawrence/NBAE via Getty Images)
On July 25, Gabby Williams was also selected to take part in the WNBA All-Star Game in Chicago. Marine Johannès traveled there to support her, and the two French internationals once again drew attention with their coordinated outfits. In an interview, Gabby also spoke about how meaningful her partner’s constant presence is and how valuable her day-to-day support has been.
We had the privilege of sitting down with Gabby Williams for a few minutes on June 10 to talk about her arrival in the San Francisco Bay Area, her connection to both her French and American roots, and what this new chapter in the Bay means to her.
VSL / MerciSF: For MerciSF readers who may not know Gabby Williams yet or who did not follow your free agency, can you tell us in a few words who you are?
Gabby Williams: I’m French-American. My grandmother is from Paris and my dad is American, so I grew up with both cultures. And now I play for the French national team, and I’m very proud of that.
VSL / MerciSF: A lot of fans were thrilled to see you join the Valkyries. How have you experienced the welcome and enthusiasm from fans in San Francisco?
Gabby Williams: Sometimes I feel like I’m dreaming, honestly. I grew up a little bit here in the Bay Area. And now being able to play in front of the people here, my former teammates, my former coach, but especially my family — it feels really good.
VSL / MerciSF: You’re bilingual, French-American, and grew up between several cultures. How has that shaped the person and player you have become?
Gabby Williams: I think it gave me a more open mind. I think in the United States, unfortunately, we can be a little closed off. We tend to think — you know how it is — that the United States is the whole world, that there’s nothing else out there. So I think it gave me an understanding that there are other cultures and other languages. Ever since I was young, I always wanted to visit Europe. So, yeah.
VSL / MerciSF: Bonus question: when we met, the NBA Finals had just wrapped up. We were curious — who were you rooting for?
Gabby Williams: Well, the Spurs, of course!
Even though that answer dates back to June, it perfectly illustrates the sense of solidarity among French basketball players, whether in the NBA or the WNBA. Today, there are 22 French players in the NBA and 14 French women in the WNBA, reflecting the growing international reach of French basketball.
At the end of this first season, Gabby Williams has already established herself as one of the Golden State Valkyries’ most prominent players. For the Bay Area’s French community, she represents much more than a basketball star: she is a bridge between France and California, between athletic excellence, openness to the world and engagement.
A remarkable ambassador for French basketball on this side of the Atlantic. French-American, engaged and open-minded, Gabby represents a new generation of athletes who are helping make sports a space for community and inclusion.
And judging by the atmosphere at the Chase Center, the message has clearly been received.
Go Valkyries!
Article in partnership with Valkyries, Say Less by Vanessa Hutchinson-Szekely & Raina Mast.
