The Valkyries have undoubtedly been one of the most successful WNBA teams this season, and their diverse contributors deserve recognition with end-of-year awards. Learn more about the case for Golden State having multiple All-WNBA and All-Defensive Team members, the Defensive Player of the Year, the Sixth Player of the Year, the Most Improved Player and the Coach of the Year. 

ALL-WNBA, ALL-DEFENSE, DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: GABBY WILLIAMS, VERONICA BURTON
Gabby Williams and Veronica Burton have been two of the best two-way players in the league this season, making them prime candidates for an All-WNBA and All-Defensive Team selection. Williams is the Valkyries’ leading scorer (14.4 PPG) and Burton is their top playmaker (5.7 APG). Williams (1.7 SPG) and Burton (1.6 SPG) are neck and neck for the team lead in steals per game, with Williams tied for fourth and Burton 10th league-wide. Among the best in the world at forcing turnovers, they seldom commit them on the other end, as they both force more turnovers than they commit (Williams 1.5 TOV, Burton 1.5 TOV). Williams has already been recognized as a top-10 player in the league this season, becoming the first player in franchise history to be named an All-Star starter. Williams and Burton were both on an All-Defensive Team last season and are focal points of the WNBA’s best defense this season (99.1 DEFRTG; 1st), with Williams considered a strong candidate for Defensive Player of the Year and Burton leading the league in defensive win shares (0.212 DEF WS).

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ALL-DEFENSE: KIAH STOKES
Anchoring the backline of the Valkyries’ top-ranked defense, Kiah Stokes has made a strong case for a spot on an All-Defensive Team. Stokes ranks second in the WNBA in total blocks (73), only trailing her former teammate and 2025 Co-Defensive Player of the Year A’ja Wilson. Stokes is third among qualifiers in blocks per game (1.7 BPG), behind Wilson (2.0 BPG) and Los Angeles Sparks center Cameron Brink (1.8 BPG). 

“When she’s communicating or last-minute shows for a block, we are always relying on Kiah, and she loves it. She loves not to let anyone score on her. To have that passion on defense, that’s different. Kiah Stokes is different.” - Valkyries Head Coach Natalie Nakase.

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SIXTH PLAYER OF THE YEAR: JANELLE SALAÜN
Janelle Salaün clearly has had the best season by a reserve, making her deserving of the Sixth Player of the Year award. In fact, she has statistically been the best-performing reserve in WNBA history. Salaün has scored more points in a season than any reserve ever (503 PTS) and has made the most 3-pointers (93 3PM). She leads all WNBA reserves in cumulative plus-minus (+168), with her production directly correlating to team success. Salaün has been one of the league’s best shooters overall this season, ranking eighth in total 3-pointers and participating in the Starry 3-point Contest. 

“Ja's [Janelle Salaün] a killer on every level in terms of what she puts her mind to, her fight, her preparation. She loves basketball and is a perfectionist in the best way possible. When you see her shooting stroke off the bench, that’s not luck — that’s thousands of reps every single day. She gives us elite length on defense and instantly stretches the floor.”  - Valkyries Head Coach Natalie Nakase.

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MOST IMPROVED: KAITLYN CHEN
Kaitlyn Chen didn’t make the Valkyries inaugural roster and when she did make her way onto the team, she wasn’t in the rotation as a rookie. Fast forward to her sophomore season and she is one of the WNBA’s most efficient reserves, putting her in the conversation for the league’s Most Improved Player award. Chen more than tripled her scoring average year-over-year, averaging 6.9 points per game compared to just 2.0 points per game last season. Her shooting splits also improved, with her field-goal percentage rising by 14%. Chen is one of six players league-wide with at least 200 shot attempts shooting over 50% from the field and 40% from three (A’ja Wilson, Sarah Ashlee Barker, Aaliyah Edwards, Kelsey Mitchell, Aliyah Boston). 

"Kaitlyn Chen is the kind of player that every really, really good team has. Somebody that doesn't have to score every time she touches the ball to impact the game." - UConn Head Coach Geno Auriemma.

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COACH OF THE YEAR: NATALIE NAKASE
The WNBA’s reigning Coach of the Year, Natalie Nakase, has led the Valkyries to even more success in her second season. Nakase’s Valkyries have the league's best defensive rating (99.4 DEFRTG) and the second-best record overall (31-12). The Valkyries also lead the league in bench scoring (36.0 PPG), as Nakase has developed two second-year players (Janelle Salaün, Kaitlyn Chen) into top-tier reserves. She was recently named the WNBA’s Coach of the Month for August.  

"You see how much detail and time she puts into every single game plan, and as a player, that makes you want to run through a wall for her. She sets the standard for our grit and competitive culture." - Valkyries guard Veronica Burton.