There wasn’t even a team in the Bay when I was playing basketball when I was young. So it’s one of those things where people ask you what your biggest dream is and you say it’s to win a championship, but you can’t even imagine that it’s going to be in your hometown, or in the team’s second year, or your first year there. I couldn’t even dream that big. So that was a really cool moment. I’ve been watching the Warriors win since I was a kid, and having the female version of that now, and knowing how big of a party it was in the Bay when the Warriors won, and being like, “Now I get to do that?” That’s so crazy.

It must be such a trip driving around town seeing your face on billboards.

It never gets old.

Some have joked that you taking off your silver medal as you walked off the court after France lost to the U.S. at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup this year was your “villain origin story.” Did that loss make you hungrier to win a WNBA championship?

Don’t get me wrong, I understand the story that everyone wants to create, so I’m not mad at it that people go that route. But I think that was the American storyline. I noticed the American media and fans were really stuck on [France losing to the U.S.] at the Olympics and FIBA. I’m like, I’ve always been hungry for a W championship; I didn’t have to get two silvers to want that. And then all of the European media was like, “She won Euro league. She won the silver medal. Can she cap it off with the WNBA championship?” So, it was weird seeing these two very different ways of storytelling. Either way, I didn’t need any more motivation to try to win a WNBA championship.

And of course, winning the silver medal is still a very big deal that I’m sure you appreciated later after the sting of defeat wore off.

We were all sad at first. I remember the whole group was really sad when we lost just because we loved each other so much and we had a really good group. But then shortly after that night, we were like, “Oh, we just got the first silver medal in France’s history.”

Let’s talk about Game 7. There was a moment in the second half where I saw the switch flip in you, and after that you were unstoppable. Where does that drive come from?

I learned this phrase from Coach [Geno] Auriemma [at UConn]. He’s like, “You see the best athletes when they don’t have a choice—they perform at their best. That’s when stars are created and big moments are created,” and that’s always stuck with me. I always have that playing in my head during those certain moments like, “Okay, I don’t have a choice. I just have to do it.” I even said it to Nat [Nakase, the Valkyries head coach] the day before Game 7, and she didn’t like it. She was like, “Okay, we’re going to switch your matchup. It’s something you haven’t done before; we’re going to ask you to do this in the first half. Can you do it?” And I was like, “Yeah, I’m my best when I don’t have a choice.” And she was like, “I don’t like that.” I was like, “Trust me, trust me. I like these moments.” I think now she gets it.

What was going through your head in the second half? Were you even aware of what was happening?

Yes and no. This game, more than any game I’ve played in my entire career, I didn’t really fully understand in the moment what I was doing until I went back and watched it. And I just watched the game for the first time two days ago. I’d seen highlights before of course, but I hadn’t watched it from start to finish. And watching it, I was like, whoa, I didn’t even realize half of the stuff I did. Because it’s such a high-pressure moment, and we’re very big on every possession matters. I didn’t even realize that my threes were back-to-back-to-back until I got home that night and saw it on Instagram. There was a point where I did feel the basket slowly start to feel bigger, but I wouldn’t say I knew exactly in the moment what I was doing.

When the buzzer sounded, what was the first thing you thought upon winning the title?

I just couldn’t wait to celebrate with my teammates. It’s the moment you see on TV since you were a kid, where the whole team comes together and huddles and jumps and up and down on the court. I’ve had those moments before overseas, but it just was different after a seven-game series. To finally have it, I just couldn’t wait.

How did you feel when you were named Finals MVP?

I just couldn’t believe it. I mean, I didn’t need MVP to feel as happy as I’m feeling today. Even now I don’t have the words for it. I was like, “I’m the one that gets to hold this trophy?” I didn’t even need it. This is enough. I’m just feeling really lost for words and lucky.

What would little Gabby think of all of this?

Oh man, she would be so happy. I hope little Gabby would understand the environment that she’s in is so loving. Just my village that I’ve had all year—I think she’d be really happy to know that she has that. And then also just going into an environment every day where people are smiling and dancing and laughing, and then you get to cap it off with a championship in the community. Yeah, she’d be really proud; she’d think I was cool.

How does it feel now that the season has come to an end, and you know you might not be this same team ever again?

It’s bittersweet because you just know you’re living in a moment that you know will never, ever happen again as far as this exact group, this exact timing, etc. So, the only thing that we really wanted to do after we won, was just spend as much time together as we could. Because we were like, “Oh, Ceci [Cecilia “Ceci” Zandalasini] is going overseas tomorrow; Ami [Aminata Gueye] has to go to the national team. So, it was just slowly saying goodbye to people. Everyone was like, “Well, did you party? Did you go out and stuff?” And I was like, “Oh, we just wanted to hang out.”

Is there anything you wish you knew when you were starting out in the league?

I wish I would’ve fought for myself a lot earlier than I did. I think I settled a lot. I was talking to Auriemma at UConn yesterday. I woke him up from his nap by accident. But he said something that really resonated with me. He was like, “I see people who have the same rough start to their career, and they kind of just end up blaming it on the coach or someone else and not living up to their full potential.” And he was like, “I’m so happy that you didn’t end up being that story.” He was like, “I’m so proud of you for taking control of your own story and making it what it is.”

You felt back then like you didn’t have ownership of your career?

Yeah, I think I was content being whatever they wanted me to be. They would call me the Swiss Army Knife, like, “Whatever you need.” I think I was a bit too complacent in that role in the W. I think it’s just my mindset: What does the team need? I always put the team first. But that means I didn’t fight for myself to have more responsibility or speak up more and understand that my voice does have the power it does. And that’s also why I wanted to go to Golden State because that was something like, Ohemaa talked me into free agency. She’s like, “I want to push you in being a leader. I want to push you on and off the court into being more vocal.” So, I’m glad I learned it now.

You’ve said you don’t really feel comfortable in the spotlight. Has that changed with all of this attention?

It’s still hard. I’m very uncomfortable with it and I do like my privacy. But at the same time, the best part has been being able to tell the story about this team this year. Even Tip [Tiffany Hayes] and I were a little tipsy at the UConn game yesterday; we were like, “They should make a movie about us.” Just because of the characters in it. That’s been the most fun, getting to talk about it, telling people what Kaitlyn [Chen] showing up to the final game in a hot dog costume was like, what being in our locker room is like. Seeing KT [Kayla Thornton]’s personality become more public; knowing Kiah [Stokes]’s story too, and seeing her finally getting her flowers as the winner that she has been for years. It’s been so cool to get to brag about all of them.

Joe [Lacob, the owner of the Valkyries] called you the best player in the world after Game 1 of the semifinals. How does it feel to have more respect now after being overlooked in the past?

When he said that, I got really scared at first. But then at the same time, I was like, “Alright, you’re asking me to step up to the plate too.” It gave me motivation because I was like, this man really believes in me, wholeheartedly, for him to go to the media and say that and put his reputation on the line. So, it gave me confidence, it gave me joy of just like, “I can’t believe I’m in an organization that thinks so highly of me.” Because I’ve never asked for him to say things like that. So, the fact that he did means a lot. It felt great to be appreciated.

When the attention shifts to next year, what do you hope people remember about this season and the Valkyries?

Just how much fun it was for everybody—that’s what sports are made for. We get lost in the competing for trophies and we forget the moments we create. Ballhalla [where the Valkyries play] was such an experience for everyone who lived it this year. I read there was like 20,000 people outside of the arena during Game 7 in addition to the 18,000 inside screaming their heads off. I hope that’s what people remember. Because that’s also what the Bay Area is about, and that’s what it’s like to win in the Bay. I’m saying that as a fan. So, I hope the party just doesn’t stop.

What are you looking forward to next year?

More of the same. I’m happy to have signed on for three years, knowing the ambition and the motivation from everyone there. And Nat is already talking about what needs to be done for next year.

It’s been cool being a part of a trailblazing franchise—that’s been the best part. We just want to continue to make history. That’s also what’s fun about an expansion team—everything is a first. I think we have a lot more firsts ahead of us.

You’ve said your partner, Marine Johannes of the New York Liberty, was super supportive of you throughout the playoffs. How do you two support each other all season, especially when you go from teammates to competitors, and how did she show up for you during the finals?

Competing against each other is easy because it’s just work; it’s a job. And I know her style really well, so that helps. [Laughs.] During the finals, it was so nice because she gets it. She knows, “Okay, today is the day where Gabby’s going to need to think about something else.” And then, “Today’s a day where Gabby may want to hear my opinion on some things, or she might want to talk it out.” Or “Okay, she doesn’t want to talk it out.” And not taking anything personally, like, “Okay, if Gabby just wants to be quiet and watch a movie today, I know why.” So, it’s very helpful having someone who’s in the same environment as you. Also, the night before the biggest game of your life, and you’re playing everything over in your head a million times, having a million thoughts, just being able to go to a dinner and laugh, and think about something else for two hours of your day, it makes a huge difference. Then, you come back refreshed the next morning, your brain is clear, your mind is ready to take on the next challenge because you’ve been able to compartmentalize. Because when you’re by yourself and the thoughts are just going and going and going, and it can be miserable.

I guess it’s good the Liberty didn’t make it further so she could support you. [Frowns]

Playing each other in the final would have been cool too, though. The matchup would have benefited us too. [Laughs.]

Are you aware of how much the internet loves your relationship? What do you think of the love you two get online?

It’s been a tough balance because I understand the importance of having queer representation, and what that means to people. But obviously we’re very, very private, so it’s pretty daunting having, I don’t know, all of the parasocialness and people thinking they know you or your relationship and hearing opinions about it. So, we try to protect our relationship as much as we can, but at the same time, I understand how important it can be for girls and women looking up to us. So there’s give and take. We try to stay as private as we can, but at the same time, we’re not going to hide who we are.

I’m sorry, I just have to ask because it is staring me in the face: Is that a wedding band you are wearing?

No comment.

I know you’re a big tattoo person. Do you have plans to get a new one to commemorate the finals?

It was funny because there was a time in the season where my teammates all found out that I had a tattoo machine and they were like, “Oh, if we win, let’s do this.” And then we won and everything just happened so fast that we didn’t have time [for me to tattoo everyone]. We talked about doing it one night, and I was like, “Guys, I can’t tonight, I’m exhausted.” But if it happens eventually, I’ll definitely say yes to it.

You started working with a stylist, Mariah Keopple, this season. What was your favorite look?

She actually came over to help me get ready for this interview and we were just talking about our favorite looks. We loved the tie one. My stylist was a seamstress and designer before this; I’m the first person she’s ever styled. But she’s really an amazing seamstress, and she made an entire top out of ties. And we were like, that was the best one. And then she made me another one out of zippers that I’m excited to wear. It’s literally a corset made out of zippers. She’s so creative.