Lineage is a strange thing. Just ask France’s star player Gabby Williams and you’ll know why. The 27-year-old, who was born in US’ Nevada, has been representing the host country in the Olympics, raising quite some curious eyebrows. The excitement surrounding the USA vs France showdown was evidently heightened by the player’s connection to both the nations.

Williams is no stranger to the Olympic stage in France, as she already led her team to a bronze medal in Tokyo 2021. The harder thing is being consistent, but that’s what Williams has maintained in the current Olympics, emerging as the standout performer for France and topping the scoring charts. But, what makes Williams eligible to participate from the French side even after living her whole life in the US?

While Gabby Williams will aim to continue the stellar form in the finals against the tournament favorites, it’s important to note that her French lineage comes from her mom’s side of the family. The 27-year-old forward’s mother Therese Williams hails from France with an extended family living there. This allows Gabby to hold dual citizenship in her name, which means she can proudly and legally compete for the French team. However, her decision to pay homage to her roots has landed her in more trouble than she could’ve imagined.

The 5-foot-11 was a No.4 draft pick by the Chicago Sky in 2018. However, just three years later, the team put her on a full-season suspended list. Confused? Well, a full-season suspension list means Williams would not be paid, but the team would still retain her rights. Though it seems unfair, the debacle unfolded when the French Federation of Basketball notified the Sky that they wanted Williams for the French national team, competing for EuroBasket—a biennial competition between FIBA Europe nations. The officials justified her season-long suspension by citing her choice to prioritize the French national team.

Surprisingly, Gabby was not made aware of the suspension and had to find out about the “shocking” news “basically through social media”.

However, as far as Williams is concerned, she hasn’t let it get to her and strongly believes that the French team is where she’s meant to be. “I feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be, and going in the direction I’ve always wanted to go in. I’m giving my all into what I want to give my all into,” she said in a conversation with ESPN, during the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

It’s safe to say that her allegiance to the other side is something she’s extremely proud of. Moreover, with an eye-catching consistency during the Olympics, the 27-year-old is surely turning into a formidable force.

Gabby Williams achievements at the Olympics and Europe

Gabby Williams has been a standout star for the French team throughout the Olympics, leading them with incredible performances. Featuring in five games for France, she’s averaged 14.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.4 assists per game. What adds to that is her versatility and shooting accuracy, with 2.8 steals per game, she has been shooting an impressive 49% from the field. Though she has stood up on the grand stage, it was even earlier when she started making her presence felt.

Before Williams even stepped onto the Olympic stage for France, she played a key role in the country’s silver medal run at the EuroBasket, proving her readiness for the big time. But that’s not all, as she’s also a total champ when it comes to club ball. She has led her team Sopron Basket to a Euro League championship and was named the MVP of the Final Four in 2022. And if that wasn’t enough, she also clinched both the Euro Cup and the French championship in 2023.

But did you know, the player is also fluent in French—which is somewhat of a running joke among her teammates? Apparently, her co-members tease her because of her “American-accented French”, but at the same time, never forget to make her feel at home.

And yes, when you think that’s all Williams is good at, hold on. Notably, she was also a track & field athlete during her high school years at Edward C. Reed High School in Sparks, Nevada. The French star also earned the Nevada Gatorade Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year award twice, first as a freshman in 2011 and again in 2012.

As the final buzzer sounds, Williams’ journey from Nevada to the Olympic stage exemplifies the power of dedication and dual heritage. It will be interesting to see whether she will make her motherland France victorious or will succumb to the pressure from the USA in the finals.

Stay tuned for more such updates. And join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show”. Our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.