GOLDEN STATE VALKYRIES CELEBRATE FIRST WNBA TITLE WITH BAY PARADE

The Golden State Valkyries celebrated their first WNBA championship on Wednesday with an Oakland gathering and a ferry journey to San Francisco for their victory parade. Players, coaches and staff crossed from Jack London Square to the Embarcadero after addressing fans on a stage in Oakland. Gabby Williams, the WNBA Finals’ most valuable player, and coach Natalie Nakase each steered the ferry for part of the 20-minute crossing. “I don’t think I stopped crying since Saturday,” said team president Jess Smith.

Golden State won the championship in their second season, beating the Atlanta Dream in Game 7 on Halloween night. Williams scored 30 points in the deciding game, including 28 in the second half, which the championship account identified as a WNBA Finals record. Veronica Burton signed autographs as the team boarded the ferry, while Tiffany Hayes high-fived supporters. Season-ticket holders travelled on an adjacent ferry, and passengers on both boats waved to one another.

Smith said the waterfront parade route reflected the team’s connection to both sides of San Francisco Bay. She linked that choice to players’ and staff members’ journeys between their Oakland practice facility and San Francisco’s Mission Bay. Organisers scheduled Williams and San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie to open the parade by banging the team’s drum, following the tradition at Chase Centre. The celebration plans also included merchandise sales, fan activity areas and a designated viewing area.