One of the shining stars in this year’s 2024 Paris Olympics, basketball’s “Swiss Army knife” Gabby Williams nearly brought the French national team to gold victory for two Olympic Games in a row. Standing at 5’11, she was drafted 4th overall by the Chicago Sky in the 2018 WNBA draft and in 2022 was named the Final Four MVP in the Euroleague.
Here’s what we know about the power forward’s journey, from her college days to winning an Olympic medal.
Who Is Gabby Williams?
Raised by her French mother and American father, 27-year-old Gabby Williams, born September 9th, 1996 in Sparks, Nevada, maintained dual citizenship in both countries. Her father, Mattew Williams, played basketball for the University of Nevada from 1988-92, sparking her interest in the sport. Attending Edward C. Reed High School in her hometown, she averaged 18 points, 10 rebounds, and seven steals per game during her sophomore year. Though she also ran track (so much so that she was named Gatorade Nevada Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year), basketball was clearly a more deeply ridden love.
In her college years, Williams aided UConn in reaching a 148–3 record over her four-year career, including four Final Four appearances and back to back National Championships.
Her WNBA Years
The WNBA drafted Williams in 2018. There, she joined the Chicago Sky prior to her trade to the Los Angeles Sparks in 2021. The Seattle Storm then aquired her in 2022. Her WNBA career wasn’t without drama, however. Lack of accommodations for playing overseas and in the Olympics left her suspended and without pay. She has since politely declined to return to the WNBA. Rookie Angel Reese has been vocal about wishing for her return, though. Following their Olympic face-off, Reese took to Twitter. She tweets: “ok now that the game is over, would you like to be apart of the chicago sky again??? (thought it wouldn’t hurt to try lmaoo)”
Williams also shared in late 2022 she wasn’t jumping on the opportunity to rejoin the WNBA because “teams aren’t touching what I’m making in Europe.” Her base salary with Seattle was $144,000, yet she was earning a much higher salary playing overseas.
Gabby Williams’ Olympic Journey
Although she was born and raised in the United States, with a French parent, extended family living in France and speaking the language fluently, she qualified to play on the French national team. She earned her team silver during the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, they were unable to defeat the USA, a team that hadn’t lost since 1992. Her performance certainly didn’t go unnoticed, however. Williams averaged14.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 2.8 steals in France’s five Olympic Games. This was all done while shooting 49.2% from the field.
This wasn’t Gabby Williams’ first Olympic medal. She also brought France to their bronze win during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in their final game against Serbia. With less than a minute left in the half on the clock, Williams hit four of her five three-point attempts. This tied her for the team lead in assists, and made her the only player on her team to record a block and a steal in the game. She was also the leading scorer for her team with 17 points.
Why isn’t Gabby Williams in the WNBA?
Williams decision to play for the French national team at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics cost her an entire WNBA season. The Chicago Sky suspended her for not being able to participate the full WNBA season.
Why did Gabby Williams get suspended?
Williams’ commitments to the French national team interfered with her ability to show up at training camp for the Chicago Sky. While she thought they had reached an understanding, the Chicago Sky placed her on the full-season suspension list. Then-head coach and GM James Wade believed she had not made the Sky a “priority.”