Geno Auriemma believes his former UConn stars deserve major credit for Golden State’s historic run to the 2026 WNBA Finals—and his comments have sparked a debate about just how important the Huskies connection has been to the Valkyries’ success.

The Golden State Valkyries are heading to the WNBA Finals for the first time in franchise history, and legendary UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma has made it clear that he believes his former players have played a major role in their remarkable rise.

After Golden State swept the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals, Auriemma praised four former UConn Huskies who now play for the Valkyries: Gabby Williams, Tiffany Hayes, Kiah Stokes, and Kaitlyn Chen.

His assessment was emphatic.

Auriemma said he did not believe he would be overstating the case by suggesting Golden State would not be where it is today without those four players.

That is a bold statement, but the Valkyries’ postseason performances provide plenty of reasons to take his argument seriously.

GENO AURIEMMA BELIEVES HIS FORMER HUSKIES CHANGED EVERYTHING

Auriemma has spent decades building UConn into one of the most successful programs in college basketball. His players have gone on to become professional stars, championship winners, and important contributors across the WNBA.

Now, four of his former players are helping Golden State chase a championship in only the franchise’s second season.

The connection is especially significant because the four players bring different skills and experiences to the Valkyries.

Williams provides defensive versatility and offensive production. Stokes gives the team an imposing interior defender. Hayes contributes veteran experience and scoring, while Chen brings energy, playmaking, and a growing understanding of the professional game.

They are not simply four former college teammates reunited on a roster. They fill different roles that help Golden State function as a complete team.

That is why Auriemma’s comments deserve attention.

His argument is not merely that UConn produces talented basketball players. It is that the experience, habits, and competitive mentality developed in his program can translate into winning at the professional level.

And Golden State’s run to the Finals has provided a compelling example.

GABBY WILLIAMS HAS BECOME ONE OF GOLDEN STATE’S BIGGEST WEAPONS

Williams has emerged as one of the Valkyries’ most important players during their postseason run.

Her versatility allows Golden State to use her on both ends of the floor. She can pressure opponents defensively, create difficult matchups, and contribute offensively without needing the entire system to revolve around her.

That flexibility becomes particularly valuable in playoff basketball, when teams have less time to adjust and every possession can change the direction of a series.

Auriemma has been especially impressed by the impact Williams has made in the WNBA.

Her ability to combine defensive intensity with offensive production makes her a major factor in Golden State’s championship hopes.

For UConn fans, her success is another reminder of the talent that has emerged from Storrs. For Valkyries supporters, however, the more immediate question is whether Williams can maintain that level against an Atlanta Dream team that has also dominated the postseason.

If she continues to influence games on both ends, Golden State will have a valuable advantage in the Finals.

KIAH STOKES IS PROVING THAT DEFENSE STILL WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS

While Williams has attracted attention for her all-around contributions, Stokes has delivered another important lesson: a player does not need to lead the scoring column to influence championship basketball.

Stokes was a major defensive presence during Golden State’s semifinal sweep of Las Vegas.

In the decisive Game 3 victory, she recorded 11 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, three blocks, and two steals. Her defensive work helped make life difficult for A’ja Wilson and the defending champions.

Those numbers illustrate why Auriemma values her contributions.

Stokes understands her role, protects the paint, competes for rebounds, and gives the Valkyries a defensive presence that can disrupt opposing offenses.

In a Finals matchup against Atlanta, those skills could become particularly important.

Angel Reese is a relentless rebounder who can create extra possessions through her work on the offensive glass. If Stokes can limit those opportunities and make scoring difficult near the basket, Golden State could gain a crucial edge.

That matchup alone could help determine how the championship series unfolds.

TIFFANY HAYES AND KAITLYN CHEN GIVE THE VALKYRIES MORE THAN TALENT

Hayes and Chen complete the group of former Huskies receiving recognition from Auriemma.

Hayes brings veteran experience and the ability to contribute in multiple ways. During Golden State’s semifinal-clinching victory, she provided a strong all-around performance, finishing with 11 points, six rebounds, four assists, and two steals.

Her experience can help the Valkyries navigate difficult stretches when opponents adjust their defensive approach or attempt to disrupt their rhythm.

Chen, meanwhile, represents a different stage of the professional journey.

After playing under Auriemma at UConn, she has continued developing in the WNBA. Her energy and willingness to contribute make her a valuable option in Golden State’s rotation.

The importance of these players goes beyond their individual statistics.

Successful playoff teams need contributors who can accept different responsibilities, remain prepared when their numbers are called, and help maintain the team’s identity throughout a long series.

Golden State’s former Huskies have demonstrated those qualities during its postseason run.

IS GENO RIGHT THAT GOLDEN STATE WOULDN’T REACH THE FINALS WITHOUT THEM?

This is where the debate becomes interesting.

Auriemma’s comments raise a fair question: How much of Golden State’s success should be credited to its former UConn players?

There is a strong case that the four players have been instrumental.

They provide defensive strength, veteran leadership, offensive versatility, and experience in high-pressure basketball environments. Stokes has helped anchor the defense, Williams has supplied two-way production, Hayes has delivered valuable minutes, and Chen has continued to grow as a professional.

Removing all four from the roster would undoubtedly change the team’s identity.

However, reaching the WNBA Finals is a team accomplishment, and the Valkyries deserve credit for more than their UConn connection.

Head coach Natalie Nakase has helped build a competitive system, while the organization’s broader roster construction has given Golden State the depth needed to challenge established contenders.

The other players have also contributed to a season that has exceeded expectations.

It is therefore difficult to know whether the Valkyries would have missed the Finals entirely without the four former Huskies. That is a hypothetical claim, not something that can be proven.

Still, Auriemma’s argument highlights an important point: Golden State’s former UConn players have become central pieces of a team that is now one series away from a championship.

The fairest conclusion is that UConn’s influence has been substantial, even if the Valkyries’ success cannot be attributed to four players alone.

GOLDEN STATE’S HISTORIC RUN PUTS UCONN’S DEVELOPMENT MODEL IN THE SPOTLIGHT

The Valkyries’ success is another example of how college basketball experience can translate into the professional game.

UConn has long emphasized preparation, accountability, versatility, and performing under pressure. Those qualities do not guarantee professional success, but they can help players adjust to the demands of a league where opponents are stronger, rotations are tighter, and mistakes are more costly.

The four former Huskies on Golden State’s roster have arrived in the WNBA with different career paths and responsibilities.

Their collective impact offers a reminder that player development is not just about producing future scoring leaders. It is also about preparing athletes to contribute to winning teams in roles that may not always receive the most attention.

For Auriemma, seeing those lessons translate to the professional stage is clearly a source of pride.

For the Valkyries, the benefit is more practical: they have players who understand how to compete, adapt, and help a team succeed.

THE ATLANTA DREAM NOW STAND BETWEEN THE VALKYRIES AND HISTORY

Golden State’s reward for sweeping the Las Vegas Aces is a Finals matchup against the Atlanta Dream.

Atlanta has also been dominant, sweeping the Washington Mystics before eliminating the New York Liberty in the semifinals.

The Dream feature their own collection of talented players, including Reese, Rhyne Howard, and Allisha Gray. Their defense and rebounding will present a serious challenge for a Valkyries team looking to complete its remarkable rise with a championship.

Reese’s battle on the boards against Stokes and Atlanta’s ability to contain Williams could become two of the most important individual matchups.

Golden State will also need Hayes, Chen, and its other rotation players to maintain their contributions against a team that has shown it can win consistently throughout the playoffs.

The Valkyries have already proved they belong in the Finals. Now they must show that their depth and experience can carry them through the final challenge.

FINAL VERDICT: GENO AURIEMMA HAS A STRONG CASE—BUT THE FINALS WILL DECIDE THE REST

Geno Auriemma’s praise of his former players is understandable. Four former UConn Huskies are now important members of a Golden State Valkyries team that has made history by reaching the WNBA Finals in its second season.

Williams, Stokes, Hayes, and Chen have each contributed in different ways, giving the franchise a valuable combination of defense, experience, versatility, and energy.

Whether Golden State would have reached the Finals without them remains an open question. What is clear is that their contributions have helped turn an ambitious franchise into a legitimate championship contender.

Now comes the biggest test.

If Golden State defeats Atlanta and lifts the trophy, Auriemma’s comments will gain even more attention. If the Dream prevail, the Valkyries’ season will still stand as an impressive achievement, but the discussion about what the team needs to take the final step will continue.

One thing is certain: UConn’s fingerprints are all over Golden State’s historic run, and the WNBA Finals will give those former Huskies another opportunity to prove their value on the biggest stage.