FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK) — Three former Florida Gulf Coast University women’s basketball coaches came within one victory of a WNBA championship Saturday night, as the Atlanta Dream fell to the Golden State Valkyries in Game 7 of the WNBA Finals.
Atlanta head coach Karl Smesko and assistants Chelsea Lyles and Camryn Brown, all former members of FGCU’s coaching staff, helped guide the Dream to the championship series before Golden State secured a 68-63 victory at Chase Center in San Francisco.
For Southwest Florida basketball fans, the championship series featured familiar faces who helped build one of the region’s most successful college basketball programs.
From Fort Myers to the WNBA Finals
Before leading Atlanta, Smesko spent more than two decades building FGCU’s women’s basketball program, beginning with the Eagles’ inaugural season in 2002.
During his tenure, FGCU became a perennial conference contender, earning regular NCAA Tournament appearances and national recognition for its success.
Smesko left FGCU in November 2024 to become head coach of the Atlanta Dream, bringing his offensive philosophy and experience developing college players to the professional level.
He was later reunited with two former FGCU coaches.
According to the Atlanta Dream, Lyles and Brown joined Smesko’s staff in March 2025 after working alongside him in Fort Myers.
Lyles spent 16 years at FGCU as a player and coach before succeeding Smesko as head coach for the 2024-25 season.
In her lone season leading the Eagles, Lyles guided FGCU to a 30-3 record, including an undefeated 18-0 mark in Atlantic Sun Conference play. The Eagles won the conference tournament and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
Lyles was named ASUN Coach of the Year before departing for Atlanta.
Brown joined FGCU’s staff in 2022 and helped the program maintain its conference dominance. She worked under Smesko before serving on Lyles’ staff during the 2024-25 season.
Together, the three helped establish and continue a winning tradition at FGCU before reuniting in the WNBA.
Golden State wins championship in Game 7
The Valkyries defeated the Dream 68-63 on Saturday, Oct. 31, capturing their first WNBA championship in just their second season as a franchise.
Golden State guard Gabby Williams scored 30 points, including 28 in the second half, and was named WNBA Finals Most Valuable Player.
Atlanta entered halftime with a 30-24 advantage and extended its lead to nine points during the third quarter.
However, Williams sparked Golden State’s comeback, scoring 15 points in the third quarter as the Valkyries took control of the game.
The teams were tied at 55 late in the fourth quarter before Williams connected on a long 3-pointer that gave Golden State a lead it would not surrender.
Veronica Burton sealed the championship with two free throws in the closing seconds.
Jordin Canada led Atlanta with 18 points, while Allisha Gray added 16.
The Dream struggled offensively, shooting 33.3% from the field and making just six of their 30 attempts from beyond the arc.
The victory made Golden State the first WNBA expansion franchise to capture a championship in its second season.
A seven-game battle for the championship
The Finals featured several momentum swings between the two teams.
Golden State opened the series with a 68-64 victory, but Atlanta responded by winning Games 2 and 3, including a dominant 97-71 performance in Game 3.
Former NBA player Enes Kanter Freedom announced on social media that he plans to attend Game 3 of the WNBA Finals in Atlanta on Wednesday as a fan. Freedom last was at a WNBA game in late August when he went to see Chicago host Indiana. He was ejected from the game and banned from the arena for getting into a heated interaction with Sky guard Natasha Cloud. The league declined to comment on Freedom potentially attending the Finals.
The Valkyries answered with consecutive victories in Games 4 and 5, putting themselves one win away from the championship.
With its season on the line, Atlanta forced a decisive Game 7 by defeating Golden State 80-69 on Thursday, Oct. 29.
Gray led the Dream with 23 points in that victory, while Rhyne Howard contributed 21. Angel Reese recorded 15 points and 14 rebounds.
However, Golden State recovered from the loss and captured the championship in the winner-take-all finale.
Atlanta overcomes midseason struggles
The Dream’s appearance in the Finals capped a season that included both significant challenges and impressive stretches of success.
Atlanta finished the 2026 regular season with a 30-14 record, matching the franchise’s record for wins in a season.
The Dream encountered adversity during the summer, including a five-game losing streak that ended July 9 with an 89-78 victory over the Seattle Storm.
Reese recorded 18 points and 10 rebounds to right the ship, while Gray contributed 20 points and five assists. Howard added 19 points and four steals.
Atlanta eventually found its rhythm, winning nine of its final 10 regular-season games to secure the No. 4 seed in the playoffs.
Gray, Howard and Reese provided much of the team’s firepower throughout the season, while Canada helped quarterback the offense.
According to WNBA Stats, the trio of Gray, Howard and Reese combined to average 53.1 points per game during the regular season.
Reese led the league in rebounds, while Howard led the league in steals.
Atlanta carried that momentum into the postseason, sweeping the Washington Mystics in the opening round before defeating the New York Liberty in three straight games in the semifinals.
The Dream entered the Finals having won all five of their playoff games.
Golden State’s historic second season
The Valkyries followed their successful inaugural 2025 season with an even stronger performance in 2026.
Golden State finished the regular season 32-12, earning the No. 2 seed in the playoffs after improving its win total by nine games from the previous year.
The team’s defense became one of its biggest calling cards, helping the Valkyries overcome an offense that ranked near the bottom of the league in points per game.
Williams led Golden State with a franchise-record 560 points during the regular season.
Kiah Stokes established franchise records with 248 rebounds and 74 blocks, while Burton recorded 69 steals.
The Valkyries defeated the Dallas Wings in three games in the opening round before sweeping the defending champion Las Vegas Aces in the semifinals.
Williams continued her strong play throughout the postseason, averaging 19.6 points and 2.6 steals in the Finals.
Stokes also played a significant role defensively, finishing the championship series with a record 18 blocked shots.
Under head coach Natalie Nakase, Golden State completed a 9-4 postseason run to claim the franchise’s first championship.
What’s next?
There is a little something for all fans to get excited about.
With the 2026 season in the books, attention turns to a promising new generation of WNBA talent. USC standout JuJu Watkins, Texas forward Madison Booker and Notre Dame guard Hannah Hidalgo are among the early favorites to hear their names called in the 2027 WNBA Draft.
For either team in the finals, these treasures are likely out of reach. Golden State currently holds the projected No. 14 overall selection, while Atlanta traded its first-round pick to Chicago in April to acquire Angel Reese, a major addition who helped fuel the Dream’s championship run.