Posts by Michelle Smith

Michelle Smith has covered women’s basketball nationally for more than three decades. A 2024 inductee into the U.S. Basketball Writer’s Hall of Fame, Smith has worked for ESPN.com, The Athletic, the San Francisco Chronicle, as well as Pac-12.com and WNBA.com. She is the 2017 recipient of the Jake Wade Media Award from the Collegiate Sports Information Directors Association (CoSIDA) and was named the Mel Greenberg Media Award winner by the WBCA in 2019.

Golden State Valkyries players cheer from the bench in the team's win over Indiana on July 9, 2025.

Golden State Valkyries aren’t just laying a path — they’re blazing one

July 11, 2025

Dunn: ‘That community wanted a team, and that makes a huge difference’

Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton (5) talks to teammates after defeating the Indiana Fever at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Kayla Thornton’s new role as go-to player for Valkyries leads to an All-Star nod

July 6, 2025

The 32-year-old forward has seized the opportunity with Golden State and become a first-time All-Star

Golden State's Temi Fagbenle celebrates a big win over Seattle with teammates Veronica Burton and Kate Martin

‘Not enough roster spots’: Valkyries head coach laments Golden State’s difficult cuts

July 1, 2025

Vanloo, Bibby and Hall released as Salaûn and Zandalasini return from Eurobasket

Golden State Valkyries center Temi Fagbenle congratulates guard Veronica Burton after Burton made a 3-pointer. Burton's eyes are closed and her head is tilted up toward the ceiling, and Fagbenle extends her arms toward Burton.

As key players return from EuroBasket, Golden State Valkyries face tough roster shuffle

June 26, 2025

As EuroBasket ends, Golden State will face some difficult roster decisions

Valkyries forward Laeticia Amihere leaps and grabs for a rebound against the Connecticut Sun.

How Laeticia Amihere is proving her worth to the Valkyries

June 23, 2025

Amihere: ‘Now I’m coming back, and it is my time’

Golden State Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton (5) talks to teammates after defeating the Indiana Fever at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Golden State’s collective star power won the night against Caitlin Clark

June 20, 2025

Valkyries move to 6-6 with the win

The WNBA logo is seen on the court at Mohegan Sun Arena on Sept. 25, 2024 ahead of a WNBA playoff matchup between the Indiana Fever and the Connecticut Sun.

The WNBA’s bubble season reverberates five years later

June 15, 2025

It can be argued that what we are all experiencing now in the WNBA, the national exposure, the television ratings, the sponsors, the Caitlin Clark phenomenon, the expansion of the league in Golden State and the preparation for a game-changing collective bargaining agreement – none of it happens if the league can’t pull off a season in isolation in Florida in 2020.

Kayla Thornton of the Golden State Valkyries drives past former teammate Sabrina Ionescu.

Valkyries have to defy expectations again following EuroBasket exodus

June 12, 2025

Golden State hopes to continue recent success despite player absences

Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton dribbles up the court with her left hand.

Seven things we’ve learned about the Golden State Valkyries through three games

May 26, 2025

Early in their debut season, there are some promising patterns, but reality checks await

Valkyries head coach Natalie Nakase coaches her team in their WNBA debut game at Chase Center.

Nakase absorbs all parts of the Valkyries’ very big day

May 17, 2025

Golden State’s 17-point loss is beside the point for a sellout opening-night crowd, but not for the head coach, who knows her team has work to do