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Ivory CoastMiela Sowah Caps Unbelievable Year With Historic WNBA Title
Australian guard Miela Sowah won a WNBA title with the Golden State Valkyries to cap off a remarkable year.
A Big Finish in the Bay Area
Queensland shooting guard Miela Sowah has ended an incredible year by capturing a historic WNBA championship with the Golden State Valkyries. The 26 year old was a development player for Golden State, who secured the title on Sunday by coming back from behind at halftime to defeat the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in the first ever Game 7.
Even though Sowah did not take the court during the Finals, she will forever be part of history. Golden State transformed women's sport across the Bay Area with record crowds, a massive following and strong membership numbers. They became the fastest US expansion team to win a title since the Milwaukee Bucks in 1971.
From Townsville to the World Stage
Sowah has enjoyed a standard of success that few players ever experience in a single calendar year. Back in March, she hit the game winning shot in overtime to secure a WNBL title for Townsville.
Her strong play led to an 11th hour call up to the Australian Opals for the FIBA World Cup campaign in September. Winning a ring in her second season with the Valkyries caps off a memorable stretch. Sowah is now the 17th Australian to win a WNBA title, joining names like Penny Taylor, Lauren Jackson, Erin Phillips, Sami Whitcomb, Belinda Snell, Tully Bevilaqua, Abby Bishop, Alison Lacy, Rachel Jarry, Ezi Magbegor and Cayla George.
Heavy Australian Influence on Both Sides
An Australian champion was guaranteed heading into Game 7 because both teams featured talent from Australia. Young Opal guard Isobel Borlase played a role off the bench for the Atlanta Dream.
The 22 year old reigning WNBL MVP logged just over 14 minutes. Borlase scored eight points in the second half, pulled down two rebounds and gave Atlanta valuable production throughout the third quarter.
WNBL Connections Across the Roster
The Golden State roster had strong ties to Australian basketball beyond Sowah. Several former WNBL imports helped propel the Valkyries to their trophy run.
Veronica Burton, who won the 2024-25 WNBL title with Bendigo, was key to the squad. Former Perth Lynx centre Laeticia Amihere and former Southside player Kayla Thornton also helped deliver Golden State a title in just their second season.
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