OAKLAND, CA ― The WNBA announced its all-defensive team selections and the featured recipients included three members of the Golden State Valkyries, which doesn't surprise them.
Valkyries guards Gabby Williams and Veronica Burton, and their center in the middle Kiah Stokes, were all highlighted by the league with the defensive recognition but neither would take credit for the individual award. It starts with their team, their culture.
It's no secret that Golden State has built its entire existence focusing on the opposite end of the floor: Defense. Defense. And more defense.
That's the mantra that is repeatedly drilled into the team's heads. The awards are just actual proof that the message is resonating.
Stokes told USA TODAY Sports that she was "super excited" about the recognition, but it was her teammates and coaches that she showered with praise.
"I think it just goes to show the work that our whole team has put in this season," Stokes said. "I think it just goes to show that there's been an emphasis on defense since last year when this whole team was formed, this organization. I'm just glad that we had a few of us. Our whole team really bought into it but just to be recognized I think it's been great."
"But I think it's more of a team award," she added. "And it just goes to show how much effort our whole team kind of puts towards defense and how we really want to make it our identity."
It's their key to winning. The proof is in the pudding. They were the No. 1 defensive team, the best in the WNBA in defensive efficiency, rating or points allowed per possession. To show for it, the Valkyries had six players in the top 15 defensive rating in the WNBA, according to Basketball Reference.
Stokes led the league with a 96.0 defensive rating. Williams, who finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting behind Atlanta Dream forward Angel Reese, had the second highest defensive rating, narrowly behind Stokes at 99.5.
"I'm just trying to win," Williams said. "I'm not searching for these awards. I'm just playing basketball. I'm doing what it takes. Whatever the team needs."
Reese had a 100.0 rating, and tied with Washington Mystics center Shakira Austin, who both earned all-defensive selections. They were No. 3 and 4 in individual defensive ratings, then the attention is back to Valcatraz.
Kaila Charles (100.2) and Burton (100.7) were ranked at No. 5 and 6, while teammates Kayla Thornton (102.7) and the 2026 Sixth Women of the Year recipient Janelle Salaün (103.2) finished at No. 9 and No. 12, respectively.
"Yeah, I mean, it's a no-brainer. Of course I think that they'd be on the all-defensive teams," Williams added. "But what I love is just they're just like, 'okay, cool, but how do we win?' It's all great, but we're not focused on individual accolades."
If there was a defensive team of the year award, it would go to Golden State. They had the most players listed in the top-15 of defensive win shares. Burton, tied with Las Vegas Aces forward A'ja Wilson, was spotted at No. 5 with 3.1.
Stokes had a 3.0 defensive win share at No. 6, and Williams' 2.6 defensive win share rounded the top 10. Thornton (2.3) was No. 13, and just below with a 2.1 defensive win share was Charles.
Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase told reporters that the acknowledgement was "very fitting" given how emphasis and attention is spent on that end of the floor.
"It was really cool to see. (It's) something that we hang our hats on. It's our identity. It's why we're winning. It's who we are. It's what is instilled," Nakase told reporters. "I don't think anyone can just play defense. I think there's a pride. There's a conditioning factor. There's a physical factor. There's attention to detail in the game plan factor. It's just not just play defense. I'm sure all three of them gave credit to their teammates. It takes everyone, takes all 14. So just cool to see them get acknowledged and rewarded for all their hard work."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Golden State Valkyries have the best defensive players in the league