Gabby Williams is back for another stint with the Seattle Storm in the WNBA.
After an impressive run in the Olympic Games Paris 2024, the Storm announced the signing of Williams for the rest of the 2023-24 season in hopes of making a deep playoff run and end a four-year title drought.
?? GUESS WHO'S BACK ??
— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) August 20, 2024
Welcome home, @gabbywilliams15! 💚💛
📰 https://t.co/AexknHfEZI pic.twitter.com/CJrlm8bqnb
The no. 4 overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft, Williams returned to Seattle on the heels of a remarkable silver-medal run with France in the Paris 2024 women’s basketball tournament.
Williams dropped 19 points, seven rebounds, three steals, and two assists in a nail-biting 67-66 loss against reigning champion USA in the gold medal round, which what might be one of the most thrilling finishes in Olympic basketball history.
She was also named to the Paris 2024 All-Star Five alongside A'ja Wilson and Breanna Stewart of USA, Alanna Smith of Australia and Emma Meesseman of Belgium.
ALL-STAR FIVE of #Paris2024 Women's #Basketball 💎
— FIBA (@FIBA) August 11, 2024
🔹 Gabby Williams, France 🇫🇷
🔹 Breanna Stewart, USA 🇺🇸
🔹 Alanna Smith, Australia 🇦🇺
🔹 Emma Meesseman, Belgium 🇧🇪
🔹 A'ja Wilson, USA 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/XyyaoIBwNX
In addition to that, Williams was also hailed as the best defensive player of the tournament.
🛡? Best Defensive Player of #Paris2024 Women's #Basketball
— FIBA (@FIBA) August 11, 2024
Gabby Williams, France 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/SjeLh9vzVa
"Gabby is a dynamic player who brings tremendous versatility. She’s a two-way player that can guard multiple positions and has a strong offensive game; given her familiarity with our system, we know she can have an immediate impact.” head coach Noelle Quinn said in a statement.
“Gabby’s Olympic performance showcased her world-class talent, and we’re excited to have her join us as we push for the playoffs.”
After being drafted by the Chicago Sky six years ago, she was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks in 2021, before being traded to the Storm in 2022.
During that season, Williams averaged 7.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.5 steals per game on a career-best 44.4% shooting clip en route to picking up the WNBA all-defensive team honors.
She re-signed with the team midway through the 2023 season after missing the first part of the year because of an injury and averaged 8.4 points, 3.8 assists and 3.6 rebounds in 10 games.
“I’m so excited to be joining the Storm for the rest of the season,” said Williams. “I feel more than ready to finally return to Seattle. I’ve missed the organization, my teammates and the fans so much. I absolutely can’t wait to come back and finish the season strong.”
The Storm made the biggest splash of any team in the offseason when they landed both former All-Stars Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins-Smith. With the addition of Williams, it should provide the Storm with a nice spark for the remaining portion of the schedule as they attempt to make a deep playoff push.
Seattle (18-10) are currently in fifth place in the WNBA standings and aim to break a two-game skid when they face cellar-dweller Washington Mystics in their next game on Tuesday, August 27 9 (PH Time).
