They say defense wins championships, but friendship may be a close second.
In her latest diary entry for Andscape, Golden State Valkyries point guard Veronica Burton spoke to the power of building a team culture that doesn't end when the on-court activities are done.
"Basketball is such a team sport and it's such a chemistry-based sport, and so the more tight-knit you are as a group, I think it 100% translates...when you love one another, you play with that same love on the court,” Burton said.
For the Valkyries, the love isn't just reserved for players that have known each other for years—it's immediate.
Gueye is proof the Valkyries' chemistry is unmatched
The Valkyries are currently shocking the world as they lead the reigning champion Las Vegas Aces, led by newly-crowned 5x MVP A'ja Wilson, 2-0 in the semifinals with a chance to clinch a Finals appearance in the franchise's second year of existence. Golden State's depth has proven simply devastating for opponents this season. Every night, a different player on the roster steps up to lead alongside star Gabby Williams, whether it be veteran Tiffany Hayes or third rounder Kaitlyn Chen.
In Game 1 against the Aces, Aminata Gueye, who signed with the team on September 10th and played her first ever WNBA minutes exactly two weeks later, contributed a loud nine points, two rebounds, and two steals on the way to an easy 71-60 win for the No. 2 seed. Despite being tasked with guarding the best player in the world in Wilson in just her third ever appearance on a WNBA court, Gueye stepped up when her team needed it most and once again showed Golden State's front office and coaching staff to be some of the best in the league.
"She's fearless," Williams said after the game. She and Gueye had played together for France before September, along with unaminous Sixth Player of the Year Janelle Salaün. "Coach Nat[alie Nakase] was asking me about her and I was like, 'Throw her in. That girl is ready.'"
Hayes and Burton echoed Williams' feelings on the seamless way in which Gueye was incorporated into the Valkyries locker room so late into the season.
"I think it's hard when you go anywhere new. Especially coming in so late, I think it can be really easy to just take a back seat and remain to yourself," Burton said. "...But she's a wonderful person. And when you have wonderful people like that come in...you want to celebrate someone like her. She pours into us. She's cheering her heart out every single time that we play, and then she's listening...Even on her first day of practice, you could feel her presence and I'm just so incredibly happy for her."
Hayes acknowledged that she's been able to speak to Gueye a bit to build their guard/post relationship, but mostly highlighted how helpful Williams and Salaün have been in the integration process given the language gap.
"She has people who speak the same language as her, who [are] always in her ear and things like that...I definitely credit that to, you know, our foreigners...because sometimes you're more comfortable speaking in your own language."
Based on the videos of Chen and Gueye interacting pre- and post-game, or the way her teammates gush about her, you'd never guess that exactly a month ago, Gueye wasn't playing in this country. Now, she'll most likely continue to play big minutes as the Valkyries look to close out the Aces in Las Vegas this weekend to head to the WNBA Finals.
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