Gabby Williams Named World Cup’s Best Defender and Among FIBA’s All-Star Five

Kalyb Champion

Valkyries forwards Gabby Williams and Janelle Salaün led France to a silver medal at the 2026 FIBA World Cup, the countries’ best-ever World Cup finish. Williams was named the tournament's best defensive player and was recognized as one of its five best players overall by FIBA's All-Star Five. Williams led the World Cup in total points (112) and finished third in points per game (18.7 PPG). Salaün earned World Cup All-Second Team honors, averaging 11.2 points and 5.8 rebounds while shooting 46.4% from three. France was defeated by Team USA in the championship game, as Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase and athletic trainer Katelin Knox helped the United States to its fifth consecutive gold medal. Read below to see how each player performed in the knockout phase.


Gabby Williams

Team: France
Valkyries Teammate: Janelle Salaün

DateOpponentCompetitionResultStats
Sept. 10ChinaQuarterfinalsW, 90-6114 PTS, 7 REB, 2 STL
Sept. 12GermanySemifinalsW, 86-6422 PTS, 5 REB, 5 AST, 4 STL
Sept. 13USAFinalsL, 97-7920 PTS, 7 AST, 3 STL


Janelle Salaün

Team: France
Valkyries Teammate: Gabby Williams

DateOpponentCompetitionResultStats
Sept. 10ChinaQuarterfinalsW, 90-6115 PTS, 6 REB
Sept. 12GermanySemifinalsW, 86-6414 PTS, 11 REB
Sept. 13USAFinalsL, 97-797 PTS, 4 REB

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Cecilia Zandalasini

Team: Italy

DateOpponentCompetitionResultStats
Sept. 9AustraliaQuarterfinals QualifierL, 80-829 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST, 2 STL

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Miela Sowah

Team: Australia

DateOpponentCompetitionResultStats
Sept. 9ItalyQuarterfinals QualifierW, 82-806 MIN
Sept. 10SpainQuarterfinalsL, 66-896 PTS

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Kokoro Tanaka

Team: Japan

DateOpponentCompetitionResultStats
Sept. 8HungaryQuarterfinals QualifierL, 84-6311 PTS

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