Valkyries guard's ‘insane’ rise to WNBA Finals

Making it into the WNBA Finals in just their second season, the Golden State Valkyries have enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top of the mountain over the past two years.

Holding a 1-0 lead in the series against the Atlanta Dream, Townsville Fire and Valkyries sharpshooter Miela Sowah has lifted the lid on the team’s journey and how it has felt to be a part of it.

“It’s been insane, honestly. To be at the pinnacle of your sport and then to be playing in the final of the WNBA, it’s what you dream of as a kid and then to be living it out is insane,” Sowah said to foxsports.com.au.

“It’s been a massive year, and honestly I’m so grateful, so blessed. I always put it down to hard work. I think one of my life mottos is, it always pays off, whether it’s a few weeks, in a month or if it’s in years, and I feel like this one’s definitely been a year’s thing.

“It’s amazing to be here, [I’m] super grateful.”

For Sowah, being on the opposing side to reigning WNBL MVP Izzy Borlase has added another layer to the series, with the Bendigo Spirit star chasing Atlanta’s first WNBA championship.

“Having another fellow Australian Opal on the other side of the grand final, I think that’s awesome. That’s exciting for Australian basketball and for women’s basketball,” she added.

“We’ll be friends outside, but when it comes to game day, we’re chasing the trophy and the ring.”

Game 2 of the 2026 WNBA Finals tips off at 11am AEDT Tuesday.

Read the full story here >> ‘It’s insane’: Aussie star lifts lid on WNBA’s $1bn fairytale ahead of historic Finals showdown