Gabby Williams has continued to receive recognition from some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment after winning the 2026 WNBA championship and Finals MVP. And this time, it was none other than legendary actor and former Reading Rainbow host LeVar Burton who had a special message for the Golden State Valkyries star.
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“Congratulations. Really. And I’ve got to say, you are carrying this like a queen. You really are,” Burton said while shaking hands with Williams. “Congratulations. Many more years of success, or as many as you would like to have.”
In a video of the brief interaction shared by CBS Mornings on X, the Reading Rainbow legend also introduced Williams to his wife, Stephanie, who shook hands with the basketball star and congratulated her as well. Burton also appeared to make a promise to attend one of the Golden State Valkyries’ games next WNBA season.
“We’re going to come see you next season,” he added.
As it turns out, both Burton and Williams were guests on the CBS Mornings broadcast, which was how the two got to meet. While Burton was appearing on the show to discuss his memoir, Take My Word For It, Williams was there celebrating the Valkyries’ historic championship run.
The Valkyries won their first-ever WNBA championship in just their second season after securing a 68-63 Game 7 comeback victory over the Atlanta Dream. That triumph made Golden State the fastest expansion franchise in major American professional sports history to win a championship, achieving the feat in just its second season.
And, of course, Williams was a major reason that historic achievement became possible. In Game 7 particularly, the Finals MVP erupted for a WNBA postseason-record 28 points in the second half after just two points before halftime. With Golden State trailing in the third quarter, Williams single-handedly shifted the momentum by scoring 13 consecutive points for the Valkyries, highlighted by three straight three-pointers that helped erase Atlanta’s lead.
She then poured in another 13 points in the final period, drilling a deep three-pointer from the right wing in the closing minute to put the game out of reach. And with that performance, alongside the brilliant displays she delivered throughout the Finals, she was deservedly named the 2026 WNBA Finals MVP.
Since becoming WNBA champions, the Golden State Valkyries and Williams in particular have continued to receive congratulatory messages and recognition for their remarkable achievement. In fact, Burton’s message joined a growing wave of high-profile tributes celebrating the Finals MVP and the franchise’s historic accomplishment.
Michael Jordan, Stephen Curry, and Barack Obama Lead Star-Studded Tributes to Gabby Williams
Following Williams’ historic Game 7 takeover and the Valkyries’ championship win, several icons from sports, entertainment, and politics have shared personal texts, social media tributes, and public shoutouts.
Most notably, two days after Game 7, basketball legend Michael Jordan personally texted Williams to congratulate her on the season and tell her how much he had enjoyed watching her play. As reported, his message included a simple but powerful two-word piece of advice: “Stay hungry,” to which Williams replied, “I’ve never been hungrier.”
Golden State Warriors superstar Stephen Curry was also among the Valkyries’ biggest supporters throughout their championship run. Although he was unable to attend Game 7 in person, Curry sent an encouraging message to the team ahead of tip-off, telling them to “Win, baby, win.” And following the final buzzer, he also shared a heartfelt celebratory tribute to Williams and the organization after their historic triumph.
Former United States President Barack Obama also joined the growing list of high-profile figures celebrating the Valkyries. Taking to social media, Obama congratulated the franchise on its remarkable championship run in just its second season, praising its rapid rise while also singling out Williams’ dominant Finals MVP performance.
A wave of other sports personalities also joined in celebrating Williams’ achievement, with fellow WNBA and NBA players publicly recognizing her outstanding performance throughout the Finals. Among those were Warriors forward Draymond Green and rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, who witnessed the historic title-clinching victory firsthand.
Given the significance of the Valkyries’ achievement, the celebrations and congratulatory messages they have received are indeed more than well-deserved.