Olympic silver medalist and WNBA free agent Gabby Williams has signed a rest-of-season contract with the Seattle Storm as they strive for a top-four position in the WNBA playoffs, the team announced on Tuesday. Williams, a former UConn star who played a key role for France in the Tokyo Olympics, was named the best defensive player of the tournament and selected to the All-Star Five. She nearly forced overtime in the gold medal game against Team USA, underscoring her elite defensive capabilities.
Williams previously played for the Storm in 2022 and part of 2023 but chose to remain with her French national team this spring to prepare for the Olympics. Her decision highlighted the WNBA’s controversial prioritization clause, which suspends players who do not arrive on time for training camp due to commitments with overseas clubs. This clause has been a point of contention among players, many of whom continue to play abroad during the WNBA offseason.
At 5-foot-11, Williams was able to sign with the Storm despite missing training camp because she was a free agent whose offseason commitments ended before the start of the WNBA season. She played in the French league, which typically extends beyond the WNBA’s opening games. However, this year, the French season concluded earlier to accommodate players preparing for the Paris Olympics.
The timing of Williams’ signing coincided with the WNBA trade deadline, though teams can sign free agents until the last day of the regular season at a pro-rated minimum. Williams, who previously played for the Chicago Sky from 2018-2020, signed a pro-rated veteran minimum deal for the final month of the season. Seattle, with $24,195 in cap space according to Her Hoop Stats, waited until Tuesday to finalize Williams’ contract at $23,491.
The Storm (17-10) struggled in their first weekend after the WNBA’s All-Star/Olympic break, going 0-2 and slipping out of fourth place in the playoff race. Seattle will conclude a three-game road trip at Washington on Tuesday, with Williams set to rejoin the team in Seattle next week. The Storm will host the Mystics on Monday, the Dream on Wednesday, and the league-leading Liberty on Friday.
Williams, one of the league’s premier defenders, will bolster an already strong defensive unit led by rim protector Ezi Magbegor. She will play alongside Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith, former All-WNBA stars who joined the Storm in free agency. Williams is also familiar with teammates Magbegor and Jewell Loyd, the WNBA’s leading scorer last season, as well as head coach Noelle Quinn’s system—an advantage as the team prepares for the final stretch of the season with 13 games remaining.
Seattle’s remaining schedule includes two games against the New York Liberty and two against the Connecticut Sun, with their defense facing challenges in recent games. The Storm allowed the Indiana Fever to hit 15 three-pointers and shoot 48.4% from beyond the arc in a recent loss, while Atlanta’s Rhyne Howard scored 30 points in the Dream’s buzzer-beater victory over Seattle.
“We’re thrilled to have Gabby back with the Storm,” said Quinn in a team release. “Gabby is a dynamic player who brings tremendous versatility. She’s a two-way player who can guard multiple positions and has a strong offensive game; given her familiarity with our system, we know she can have an immediate impact. Gabby’s Olympic performance showcased her world-class talent, and we’re excited to have her join us as we push for the playoffs.”
Williams averaged 7.5 points, five rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game in 2022, starting all 36 games and shooting a career-best 44.4% from the field. She was named to the all-defensive team that year. After a concussion in France ended her season early, she was able to rejoin Seattle late last year. Her return now comes at a crucial time as the Storm aim for a deep playoff run.
⛈️ GUESS WHO'S BACK ⛈️
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) August 20, 2024
Welcome home, @gabbywilliams15! 💚💛
📰 https://t.co/AexknHfEZI pic.twitter.com/CJrlm8bqnb
Seattle had $24,195 in cap space left. Yesterday, the pro-rated vet minimum to sign someone was $24,249; today it's $23,491. Hence why this is happening exactly now. By coincidence, also trade deadline day. #WNBA https://t.co/qbpOijoTC5
— Richard Cohen (@RichardCohen1) August 20, 2024
One more from the archives 🎬 pic.twitter.com/pNK9sKEIpN
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) August 20, 2024