STORRS – a could also be biased, however he has a transparent favourite for who he needs to win the WNBA Finals.
The Golden State Valkyries have surpassed all enlargement expectations and reached the Finals within the franchise's second 12 months. And so they've completed so with the assistance of 4 former s: Tiffany Hayes, Gabby Williams, Kiah Stokes and Kaitlyn Chen.
So, when Golden State suggestions off in subsequent Saturday's Recreation 1 in opposition to the Atlanta Dream, it's no shock which method Auriemma will probably be cheering.
"I don't suppose I'd be overstating it that if these 4 weren’t on that workforce, they (Valkyries) wouldn't be the place they’re right this moment," Auriemma mentioned Saturday after the Huskies' follow and a bit over 12 hours after Golden State punched its ticket to the Finals.
Hayes, Williams, Stokes and Chen characterize 4 totally different eras of the Husky program.
Hayes was the Huskies' high capturing guard throughout its early 2010s dominance, together with serving to this system win a then-record 78 consecutive video games and back-to-back undefeated nationwide championships. Stokes helped usher within the Huskies' four-peat years, whereas Williams got here in through the last stretch of this system's most spectacular accomplishment. And regardless that Chen performed underneath Auriemma for just one 12 months, her veteran management helped the Huskies break their title drought and win the 2025 nationwide championship.
"I'm wanting up on the press convention one night time after one of many video games, and Gabby and Tiff had been sitting up there, the 2 of them, and I'm simply them, shaking my head as I'm watching it," mentioned Auriemma.
"… You have a look at them, and so they're all the identical. They're all the identical, however they're all distinctive in their very own method, proper? And to me, that's probably the most wonderful factor: that each child that spent that point right here has sure qualities that make you win and make you win championships."
On Friday, Golden State took down the defending WNBA champs, the Las Vegas Aces, and secured its spot within the Finals due to the previous Huskies. Whereas five-time WNBA MVP A'ja Wilson led with 21 factors, Stokes was the one Valkyries participant to complete with a double-double, recording 11 factors, 10 rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals.
Stokes (who received three WNBA titles with the Aces, together with the 2025 championship) annoyed Wilson together with her protection. In keeping with StatMuse, Stokes leads the WNBA with a 94.8 defensive ranking. The Husky middle is taking part in among the finest basketball of her profession, averaging a career-high 1.3 assists per recreation together with 1.7 blocks per recreation (her finest common since her rookie 12 months in 2015).
If Golden State defeats Atlanta and wins all of it, Stokes will turn out to be solely the third former Husky to win 4 WNBA titles, becoming a member of Sue Chicken and Maya Moore.
"One other nice story that's not talked about by anyone is the impression that Kiah Stokes has had on successful in her complete profession, wherever she's been," mentioned Auriemma. "And who wouldn't need to coach a child that claims, 'Don't throw me the ball. Simply let me play 27 minutes. Let me block 4 photographs, get 10 rebounds, get a pair steals and simply shut down the opposite workforce's finest observe. That's all I need to do.' I imply, that's like a coach's dream, you recognize. And he or she's been capable of carve out a tremendous profession doing that."
Whereas Stokes anchors the Valkyries' protection, it's Williams who fuels the workforce on each ends. The ahead, who grew up taking part in AAU basketball within the Bay Space, has unlocked a brand new degree to her recreation s and thrives in Golden State's system. She's earned back-to-back All-Star choices and completed second in Defensive Participant of the Yr voting this season.
Williams' size makes her a defensive nightmare, whereas her countless motor makes her an unstoppable pressure on offense, as she will be able to rating from wherever and forces defenders to chase her continuously. She's averaged 22.6 factors per recreation throughout Golden State's first six playoff video games, together with ending with 16 factors, three steals and three assists Friday in opposition to the Aces.
"Perhaps the most effective story in the entire WNBA is the impression that Gabby Williams is having on the league, offensively and defensively," mentioned Auriemma.
Hayes led Golden State on Friday with a +20 due to 11 factors, six rebounds, 4 assists and two steals. She's the Valkyries' most steady veteran and certainly one of its most efficient gamers off the bench.
Identical with Chen. Regardless that she's solely two years into the league, the California native persistently lights up the courtroom together with her vitality and has improved immensely. This 12 months, she's averaging 7.2 factors per recreation in comparison with 2.0 final season. On Friday, she completed with six factors, two assists and one rebound in eight minutes.
"We had Kaitlyn for one 12 months, and we received a nationwide championship. I feel she's only a winner," mentioned UConn senior guard Ashlynn Shade. "I imply, she is simply the last word teammate, final competitor, and I'm simply so comfortable to see her. … I simply suppose that goes to point out, Coach mentioned it the opposite day, that if you happen to purchase into what we do right here, it interprets a lot to the skilled degree. And you’ll simply actually be thrown in wherever and be capable of adapt, compete on the highest degree."
Golden State, which reached the primary spherical of the WNBA playoffs final season, completed the common season with a 32-12 document and is the No. 2 seed on this 12 months's playoffs. The Valkyries defeated s and the Dallas Wings 2-1 within the first spherical and swept the Aces 3-0 in final week's semifinals.
"I'm actually happy with all of them, and that's most likely the one workforce that I've watched play probably the most," mentioned Auriemma. "They had been taking part in Dallas, and someone mentioned, 'Hey, you recognize, you're rooting for Paige.' I mentioned, 'No, I'm not. I'm rooting for Golden State.' (They’ve) 4 to (Dallas') one and a half (Huskies) as a result of ) didn't play."
The Dream are the No. 4 seed and are making their first WNBA Finals look since 2013. Atlanta, which has but to win a WNBA title, swept the Washington Mystics within the first spherical 2-0 and swept Breanna Stewart and the New York Liberty 3-0 within the semifinals. Atlanta is led by Rhyne Howard, Jordin Canada, Alisha Grey, Angel Reese and former n star DeWanna Bonner (picked up on waivers by Atlanta in August). Former Husky star and Hayes' former UConn teammate Renee Montgomery is a part-owner and the vp of the Dream.
Golden State and Atlanta will battle in a best-of-seven sequence beginning subsequent week for the 2026 WNBA title.
WNBA Finals schedule
All occasions Jap
Recreation 1: Atlanta at Golden State – Saturday, Oct. 17 at 3:30 p.m. on NBC
Recreation 2: Atlanta at Golden State – Monday, Oct. 19 at 8 p.m. on USA Community
Recreation 3: Golden State at Atlanta – Thursday, Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. on USA Community
Recreation 4: Golden State at Atlanta – Saturday, Oct. 24 at 3:30 p.m. on NBC
Recreation 5 (if wanted): Atlanta at Golden State – Monday, Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. on USA Community
Recreation 6 (if wanted): Golden State at Atlanta – Thursday, Oct. 29 at 8 p.m. on USA Community
Recreation 7 (if wanted): Dream at Golden State – Saturday, Oct. 31 at 8 p.m. on USA Community
>
This text initially printed at ;.