The Golden State Valkyries are heading to the WNBA Finals in just their second year of existence, and you absolutely have to credit general manager Ohemaa Nyanin for pulling off what everyone else thought was impossible. Outsiders were straight-up scratching their heads for two whole seasons watching Nyanin build this squad, doubting every single move she made. Nobody could wrap their heads around her strategy through one expansion draft, two collegiate drafts, and two trade deadlines.
What Was She Even Thinking? The WNBA Asked That A Lot
Remember all the chatter? Was she only going after other teams’ “cast-offs”? Did she just hate collegiate stars? Was the woman allergic to star power, or what? The skepticism and doubt were real, loud, and constant. Everyone outside the Valkyries’ war room was trying to figure out if Nyanin even knew what she was doing. They questioned if she didn’t want the big names, if she was intentionally avoiding the flash. Turns out, what Nyanin was doing, with an incredible amount of intentionality and care, was building a championship contender from the ground up. She was chasing something specific, and now the WNBA is in awe.
“Relentless Pursuit of Excellence” Is the New Mantra
Nyanin wasn’t just throwing darts at a board. She was specifically looking for two-way players, for athletes who would buy into a defensive system, for high-character people who were versatile and team-oriented. These weren’t just ballers; these were women who would be ambassadors for a brand-new franchise and fully embedded in their community. She wasn’t just building a roster; she was building a culture. “Relentless pursuit of excellence is a big thing,” Nyanin dropped on a conference call this past Thursday. She talked about “not allowing for ‘no’ to be the end of your story,” and really “trying to find ways to problem solve and pivot.” That’s the mindset! But the real kicker? She wants players “wanting to buy into a system and really wanting to be connected, not just on the court but off the court.” That’s the secret sauce right there. This team’s chemistry, their bond, their pure joy playing with and for each other? It starts right at the top.
More Than Just Basketball: She’s Got Their Back
The players themselves totally echo that sentiment. Gabby Williams, who’s known Nyanin for ages through international basketball and Nyanin’s time as the assistant GM for the New York Liberty, raves about her attention to detail and how she takes pride in doing things the right way. Williams said Nyanin takes pride in “getting to know players and making sure they’re taken care of.” It’s about “going after great people, not just great basketball players.” Coach Natalie Nakase sees it too. Nyanin lets her just coach, handles the little things like finding cat sitters for players, or reminding Nakase to eat. She creates an environment where everyone can focus on their job without worry. That’s a GM who truly gets it.
The Golden State Valkyries are set to host the Atlanta Dream in Game 1 of the WNBA Finals this Saturday, October 17th, at 12:30 p.m. at Chase Center, live on NBC. Game 2 is Sunday, October 19th, at 5 p.m. on USA/CNBC. This best-of-seven series is going to be an absolute battle, and Nyanin’s squad, the one nobody believed in, is ready to shock the world one more time.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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