Valkyries Star Gabby Williams Began With Local Coach
Before the WNBA Finals, forward Gabby Williams honed her game under a coach at City College of San Francisco.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Basketball
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Golden State Valkyries forward Gabby Williams trace her roots to a decades-long partnership with coach Alfonso Joo. Long before the Valkyries reached the WNBA Finals, Joo mentored the now 30-year-old athlete.
Why it matters
The success of local stars like Williams has sparked a surge of interest among families looking to enroll their children in basketball programs. Prospective players are now flocking to clubs like the BullDawgs in hopes of following her path to the professional level.
The BullDawgs Basketball Club maintains a strict enrollment limit of 150 players. Demand currently outpaces this capacity as parents seek coaching for children aiming for professional basketball careers.
The players
Gabby Williams
A 30-year-old forward for the Golden State Valkyries who previously played for the Chicago Sky.
Alfonso Joo
A basketball coach with 30 years of experience who founded the BullDawgs Basketball Club.
The details
Alfonso Joo, who has coached basketball for 30 years, first began working with Williams when she was 9 years old in Reno. Today, the club he founded operates out of City College of San Francisco and Daly City. Joo, who previously saw Williams play for the Chicago Sky, plans to attend the upcoming WNBA Finals game at Chase Center.
Timeline
Over two decades ago, Alfonso Joo began coaching Gabby Williams.
October 14, 2026, marks the publication of this retrospective.
This upcoming Saturday, Alfonso Joo will attend the WNBA Finals game.
Across the Bay
This trend of increased interest in youth sports clubs follows the pattern set by the massive popularity of professional basketball academies in the Bay Area. The success of the Valkyries mirrors the regional momentum previously generated by the Golden State Warriors.
Families interested in joining the BullDawgs Basketball Club must navigate a 150-player enrollment cap. You can expect high competition for open spots this coming season as local interest continues to grow.
The takeaway
Local youth sports programs often see immediate enrollment spikes following the success of hometown icons. Keep an eye on local club rosters if you are looking for coaching opportunities for your own children this season.
Further reading
For more coverage on the local hardwood, see our Basketball archives.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KTVU FOX 2 San Francisco.
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