Is Gabby Williams the best player in the world?
Golden State Valkyries owner Joe Lacob thinks she is.
At the very least, Williams is playing the best and most complete basketball of her career as she tries to power the Valkyries — a second-year franchise — to the WNBA Finals.
MORE: A’ja Wilson and the Aces look cooked already after Game 1 loss to Valkyries
Williams’ outstanding performance in Game 1 of the WNBA semifinals against the Las Vegas Aces prompted Lacob to tell ESPN that the France star is the “best player in the world.”
Lacob, who presided over the Golden State Warriors’ dynastic run of NBA championships between 2015 and 2022, has long been known for bold proclamations like this.
But in Williams’ case? He’s not far off.
Gabby with a full head of steam and an even tougher finish 😤 @Waymo | Drive of the Game https://t.co/IHRB68mReU
— Golden State Valkyries (@valkyries) October 5, 2026
Williams dropped a game-high 25 points in Game 1 on Sunday, when the Valkyries held A’ja Wilson and the Aces to a season-low 60 points. Williams became the first Valkyrie with a 25-10-5 game as she added 11 rebounds and five assists to her tally.
But Golden State’s identity has been predicated on its defense. And Williams is the best defender in the WNBA this side of Angel Reese.
With Williams as the primary defender, Aces players shot only 4-of-14 against the rugged guard.
Williams is the second-leading scorer still in the playoffs, only behind Wilson. Her strong two-way game has continued to flourish since France’s devastating loss to the United States in the FIBA Women’s World Cup gold-medal game last month — and right now, she’s the best player in the postseason.
Whether her standout playoff campaign will be enough to see the Valkyries win a championship remains to be seen. But Williams, like the rest of all those fans in Ballhalla, will be aware of another one of Lacob’s bold proclamations, which may well have been a warning to the WNBA.
“I’m telling you right now, we will win a WNBA championship in the first five years of this franchise,” Lacob told the Chase Center crowd in 2024.
Thanks in part to Williams, the Valkyries are two wins from, at least, playing in the finals.
