Valkyries superfan Podziemski takes Warriors rookies to WNBA game: “Atmosphere was unbelievable”

SAN FRANCISCO Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski went through his usual array of mega-fan routines during the Valkyries - success over the frustrated Seattle Storm on Sunday night He waved his arms after Valkyries baskets mimicked representatives when the Storm were called for offensive fouls and stayed on his feet for the majority of the meeting while wearing a No Kaitlyn Chen jersey Among a celebrity-laced sold-out crowd that also included teammate Steph Curry soccer icon Megan Rapinoe and her WNBA legend of a wife Sue Bird and South Carolina coach Dawn Staley none were as enthusiastic as Podziemski Aside from hyping up the audience and players he was also introducing a pair of rookies to the raucous conditions known as Ballhalla Sitting next to Podziemski was second-round pick Alex Toohey and undrafted free agent and Sacramento native Coleman Hawkins It was incredible Toohey commented First of all the atmosphere was unbelievable and like nothing I ve been a part of before Golden State Valkyries' Kayla Thornton celebrates after shooting a three-point shot against Chicago Sky in the fourth quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco Calif on Friday June Shae Hammond Bay Area News Group Hawkins who attended Prolific Prep in Napa has known Podziemski for years The two played together at the University of Illinois during the - season and the the second-year guard has helped the rookie forward acclimate to the Warriors organization But Brandon s been good to me and he s been helping me out Hawkins commented And you know he s a familiar face and I m happy that he s here in this organization so he can show me the ropes Podziemski is a native of Wisconsin but has spent much of the offseason in his adopted home Toohey could not help but note how the shooting guard s love of the Bay shines through He s such a great guy and we had specific good conversations Toohey explained He loves the city and loves the gang and spoke about his process and how he got to where he is Hawkins and Toohey will go from sitting courtside at Chase Center to playing on the court this weekend when the pair suit up for the California Classic Summer League on Saturday Related Articles Steph Curry opens as betting co-favorite at Tahoe golf tournament As Warriors quietly wait on Jonathan Kuminga West contenders make noise Oakland s Damian Lillard is available Should the Warriors be interested in the -time All-Star Reports Longtime Warrior Kevon Looney to sign with New Orleans Warriors rookies Toohey Richard influenced by members of Golden State dynasty