# Aminata Gueye flips A’ja Wilson’s series

> New WNBA rookie Aminata Gueye stops MVP A’ja Wilson in semifinals.
- Title: Aminata Gueye flips A’ja Wilson’s series | Shortify
- Summary: New WNBA rookie Aminata Gueye stops MVP A’ja Wilson in semifinals. Rookie Aminata Gueye slowed A’ja Wilson’s scoring and rebounding in WNBA playoffs.
- Keywords: aminata gueye, a’ja wilson, golden state valkyries, wnba, seahawks, nfl, valkyries, playoffs, semifinals, rebounds, mvp, news
- Source: The San Francisco Standard — https://sfstandard.com/2026/10/09/aminata-gueye-valkyries-aja-wilson-aces
- Published: 2026-10-09T13:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: aminata gueye, a’ja wilson, golden state valkyries, wnba, seahawks, nfl, valkyries, playoffs, semifinals, rebounds, mvp, news
## Aminata Gueye joins Golden State
Aminata Gueye, a 24-year-old WNBA newcomer, joined Golden State Valkyries after playing with France’s national team at the FIBA World Cup.

> She’s fearless. Obviously, I’ve known her for a while now and Coach Nat was asking me about her and I was like, ‘Throw her in. That girl is ready,’”
## A’ja Wilson faces 2-0 deficit
A’ja Wilson, the WNBA’s most decorated player with five MVP trophies, returned to Las Vegas facing a 2-0 semifinal series deficit against Golden State Valkyries.
## Golden State’s rebounding edge
Kiah Stokes and Aminata Gueye gave Golden State a rebounding edge, with Stokes having 14 rebounds in Game 1 and Gueye limiting Wilson’s scoring.
## Gueye’s quick transition
Gueye transitioned from international play to WNBA in days after the FIBA World Cup, where she played alongside Valkyries teammates Gabby Williams and Janelle Salaun.
## Gueye’s impact on defense
Gueye slowed A’ja Wilson’s scoring, with Wilson needing 21 shots to score 24 points in Game 1 and only six first-half shots before the game’s final minute.
## Stokes’ role in series
Kiah Stokes, a 12th-year veteran, became Golden State’s rebounding anchor, helping the Valkyries take a 2-0 series lead with 14 rebounds in Game 1.
## Gueye’s playoff performance
Gueye played four regular-season minutes and 10 more in Golden State’s first-round series against Dallas, helping the Valkyries’ pick-and-roll game.
## Valkyries’ strategy
Golden State used two centers to slow A’ja Wilson, with Gueye and Stokes managing to keep Wilson below her season averages in points, rebounds, and assists.
## Gueye’s readiness
Gueye said she was ready for the challenge, stating, ‘When [Nakase] called my name, I just tried to be ready all the time.’

> When [Nakase] called my name, I just tried to be ready all the time.
## Series outcome
Golden State Valkyries took a 2-0 series lead over Las Vegas Aces in WNBA semifinals after Game 1.
## Key takeaway

Rookie Aminata Gueye slowed A’ja Wilson’s scoring and rebounding in WNBA playoffs.