Gabby Williams Signs Contract with WNBA’s Storm After France’s 2024 Olympic Run

The Seattle Storm announced Tuesday they signed primitive forward Gabby Williams for the relaxation of the 2024 WNBA season.

Williams, who spent the closing two years with Seattle, is coming off a 2024 Summer season Olympics wherein she helped France obtain a silver medal and used to be named the Most efficient Defensive Participant of the tournament.

“We’re thrilled to non-public Gabby motivate with the Storm,” Storm head coach Noelle Quinn said. “Gabby is a dynamic player who brings colossal versatility. She’s a two-capability player that can guard extra than one positions and has a sturdy offensive game; given her familiarity with our machine, we all know she will be able to non-public an instantaneous affect. Gabby’s Olympic efficiency showcased her world-class talent, and we’re furious to non-public her be a part of us as we push for the playoffs.”

Her Hoop Stats’ Richard Cohen laid out the salary cap machinations that made Williams’ return to the Storm that you may maybe well presumably also deem:

The 27-365 days-broken-down is broadly regarded as an elite defender, a repute she bolstered additional in Paris. She averaged 2.8 steals whereas ending as France’s leading scorer (15.5 points) and playmaker (4.8 assists).

The Athletic’s Sabreena Provider provider explained why it used to be alternatively unclear whether Williams would suit up with a WNBA team for the stretch bustle.

The core player designation operates equally to the franchise impress in the NFL. A player is assured the supermax salary for one season, however their fresh team maintains queer negotiating rights.

Provider provider questioned whether Williams, who sat out the total 2021 season whereas focusing on the Olympics and almost neglected all of 2022 because of the the WNBA’s prioritization rule, would like to preserve most flexibility as a free agent in 2025 as an more than a couple of of signing now and risk being cored subsequent winter.

The Storm made the biggest splash of any team in the offseason after they landed each and each Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith. The colossal bets non-public paid off for essentially the most piece with Seattle sitting fifth in the league at 17-10.

Reuniting with Williams doesn’t entirely bridge the gap on the well-known-pronounce Fresh York Liberty, however the Storm can be a rare more difficult foe in the playoffs now.