What Gabby Williams' return to the WNBA means for the Seattle Storm

Gabby Williams is back as if she never left the WNBA, and she re-signed with her old franchise, the Seattle Storm.

Since Williams and Team France nearly unraveled Team USA during the 2024 Paris Olympics, hoops fans have been clamoring for her to return. However, many basketball pundits believed Gabby might continue her overseas career instead of returning to her old stomping grounds. (Salary was previously a concern.)

Nevertheless, several teams cleared roster space to acquire her potentially. Ultimately, it paid off for the Storm, and she chose Noelle Quinn, Jewell Loyd and a familiar system that would allow her to thrive.

With the signing, fans might have a few lingering questions. We’ve got you covered. Here’s what you need to know:

How could Gabby Williams sign with a WNBA team after missing the first half of the season?

Per Roberta Rodrigues of Beta Basket, Gabby wasn’t subject to the WNBA’s prioritization clause (which requires players to prioritize the WNBA over international leagues) because she was an unrestricted free agent when training camps started in April and didn’t sign with any team.

This means that Gabby didn’t skip camp or miss any required team activities, instead opting to remain a free agent to complete Olympics prep with France.

What kind of contract did the Seattle Storm give Gabby Williams?

The Storm signed Gabby to a contract for the rest of the 2024 season. Per Richard Cohen of Her Hoops Stats, Gabby’s contract is prorated at $23,491 and fits within the team’s remaining allotted cap space ($24,195).

What does Gabby Williams bring to the Seattle Storm this late in the WNBA season?

Gabby is a two-way threat who could be immediately inserted into the Storm’s lineup or stashed on the bench to be the ultimate closer. Her high motor on both ends of the floor is something Seattle could use to its advantage, and it recently earned her All-Star Five and Best Defensive Player honors during the Olympics.

During France’s six-game silver medal run, Gabby averaged 15.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists and a blistering 2.8 steals. She also scored 19 points against Team USA during the gold medal game, including five points (and one gnarly buzzer-beating shot that nearly sent the game to overtime) as time was winding down.

During her previous tenure with the Storm in 2022, she started 36 games, averaging 7.5 points, five rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.5 steals per contest. She was also on the WNBA’s All-Defensive Second Team.