It's abudantly fair to say Monique Billings had a fantastic 2025. The WNBA and Unrivaled star was drafted to the Golden State Valkyries and quickly became a fan favorite who was often cited as a leader for the team, a position she told High Post Hoops was "special." Billings added that the 2025 season was "one of my best seasons as a professional athlete" and "one of the most fun seasons I've ever had."
Apart from the team's culture, which was built intentionally, piece by piece, Billings appreciated the Valkyries' emphasis on providing the resources the players needed from top to bottom. That included an elite coaching staff (head coach Natalie Nakase was named Coach of the Year at the end of the season), as well as facilities and health-related resources.
Her health is a huge priority for Billings, who will be in her ninth season in the league this year (she also just completed her first season in Unrivaled). As she prepares for a return to the league (pending a signed Collective Bargaining Agreement), Billings has turned to Silk Protein for a little boost in the health department.
WNBA teams are beginning to realize health is important
A lot of WNBA teams are "picking up on" the fact that so many players need the best facilities and support to stay healthy during a season. "When I first came into the league, after practice I didn't have a meal ready for me," she explained. "I'm having to go to Whole Foods and get food, and just having to figure so many things out." Having a dedicated locker room is still a luxury, and it gives players peace of mind knowing they can just drop their stuff off, she added.
The Valkyries' front office and GMs "are really pouring into us as players" and helping across the board with wellness. She also has the ability to partner with brands like Silk Protein, a company that ahas "helped me with my wellness." They realize how intentional she is, and have allowed her to thrive as a result.
Billings even came up with her own smoothie with the brand, something she drinks daily. This allows her to monitor her intake (Billings noted the mango-flavored concoction also contains blueberries, chia seeds, and honey, and has 13 grams of protein and three grams of fiber).
The UCLA Bruins could go all the way
Billings, a graduate of UCLA, also cited her former team as Final Four contenders. The Bruins suffered a disappointing loss in Tampa last year, something they're bound to keep close to their hearts this year.
"I'm excited for UCLA. I think they're in a really great space. I think you wanna be seeing teams play their best basketball in March, so that's really important," Billings said. "Last year definitely stung for them. And so I'm hoping that they use that as fuel and the momentum going into this season. I definitely see them being a Final Four contender team."
The Valkyries star will also be in attendance at this year's Big Ten tournament, which begins March 4.