Williams Named Best Defensive Player, All-Star 5; Salaün Named All-Second Team

The Golden State Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase and athletic trainer Katelin Knox have won gold with Team USA at the 2026 FIBA World Cup following a 97-79 victory over France in the championship game.

Nakase served as an assistant coach for Team USA, who went a perfect 6-0 at the tournament en route to their fifth-straight FIBA World Cup gold. The FIBA World Cup title automatically qualifies Team USA for the 2028 Olympics.

France captain and Valkyries forward Gabby Williams was named Best Defensive Player and All-Star 5, ranking third among all players with 18.7 points per game while adding 4.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.8 steals per game. Valkyries forward Janelle Salaün averaged 11.2 points per game and a 46.4 (13-26) shooting percentage from three in six games for Les Bleues and was named World Cup All-Second Team. Williams earned TCL Player of the Game honors twice (group phase vs. Nigeria and semifinal vs. Germany) during the tournament, while Salaün was named TCL Player of the Game in the quarterfinal win over China.

Williams scored 20 points with seven assists and three steals, while Janelle Salaün added seven points and four rebounds in the final against Team USA to lead France to their best-ever finish at the FIBA World Cup with a silver medal.

Valkyries forward Cecilia Zandalasini scored in double figures in all three Group Phase games for Italy including a 14-point performance in the thriller against Team USA. Zandalasini began the tournament with TCL Player of the Game honors after registering 19 points, five rebounds and three assists in the 63-54 win over Czechia. Zandalasini led the team in scoring with 13.5 points per game and ranked second in rebounds with 4.8 as Italy reached the quarter finals for the first time in 32 years.

Valkyries guard Miela Sowah appeared in five games for Australia, scoring six points on 40 percent (2-5) shooting in the quarterfinal against Spain.

Guard Kokoro Tanaka, who was selected 38^th overall by Golden State in the 2026 WNBA Draft, led Japan in scoring with 14.8 points per game on 43.1 percent (22-51) shooting as Japan reached the qualification to quarterfinal round. Tanaka began the tournament with 18 points on 58.3 percent (7-12) shooting and a game-high seven assists in the 102-97 victory over Mali.

The Valkyries are back in action this Friday, September 18 at home against Portland at 7 p.m., airing on ION, 95.7 The Game, ESPN 1320 and the Audacy App.