Despite a chaotic offseason that saw the Seattle Storm trade All-Star Jewell Loyd to the Las Vegas Aces and lose both Nika Muhl and Jordan Horston to season-ending injuries, there’s still an air of excitement buzzing around Seattle. Amidst all the turnover, one familiar face rolled back into town like she never really left. Even Storm guard Skylar Diggins-Smith couldn’t hide her excitement at Monday’s media day, calling this Seattle roster “definitely the most talented roster I’ve been a part of in my 13 years” in the WNBA. And she wasn’t just talking about the six-time All-WNBA pick she’s sharing the court with. She was also hinting at a major comeback — the return of Gabby Williams.

Losing Horston was a gut punch for the Storm. The franchise had big plans for her, envisioning her as a cornerstone for their young, promising squad. But even with that setback, Storm fans have a reason to breathe a little easier knowing they have a seasoned vet like Gabby stepping in. She’s not just back — she’s back early, and she’s already setting the tone for what’s ahead.

At the start of training camp, when Gabby was asked about her plans for 2025, her response said everything. She shrugged off the timeline talk with a smile, saying, “Who knows what year it is?” before making it clear where her focus lies. “I’m just happy to be here so early, building that chemistry from the jump. I think it’ll allow me to be a leader,” Williams said.

This wasn’t just talk — Gabby’s actions have backed it up. She knows the system, the staff, and the culture. She’s not arriving mid-season, trying to figure things out anymore. She’s here from Day 1, and it’s giving her a chance to be more vocal, to lead, and to help her teammates from the ground up. Williams herself admitted that having clarity about her role from the very start will allow her to “get into [her] groove earlier,” and be the kind of player her team can lean on.

Gabby isn’t coming into this season cold either. She’s fresh off another huge international run with Fenerbahçe in the EuroLeague Women. True to form, Williams made the tough plays look smooth and the simple ones count big. Fenerbahçe entered with a 15-game win streak. They fell short of a three-peat in Zaragoza. But Gabby Williams didn’t slow down. Just days later, she led Fenerbahçe to a Turkish Super League title. She stuffed the stat sheet with 13 points, 10 assists, six rebounds, and four steals. The Storm hyped her up on Instagram with a fitting shoutout.

Gabby’s reputation as a high-motor, lockdown defender with Olympic-level poise isn’t just hype. She showed the world her clutch factor during France’s silver medal run, averaging 15.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 2.8 steals. She nearly sent Team USA into overtime with a dagger shot in the final seconds of the gold medal game.

That’s the thing about Gabby — she’s built for leadership, and she’s built for the grind. She’s used to these mid-year transitions by now, having played with nine teams between the WNBA and overseas.

Gabby Williams Is Ready to Lead the Storm — and She’s Not Holding Back

Every stop added something new to her game. At UConn, she played center. Then she shifted to point guard. After that, she learned the four. Finally, she moved to the three. Each role forced her to adjust and evolve. Those lessons turned her into one of the most versatile players in the league. That journey sharpened her instincts, vision, and voice. Now, she’s bringing all of it into an even bigger leadership role in Seattle.

“There’s a lot of things I look forward to when I transition between teams,” Williams said. “One of those is like, ‘OK, what am I going to do by myself in this new place?’”

Williams’ first run with the Storm started back in 2022 after a trade from the Los Angeles Sparks. Over her first two seasons in Seattle, she averaged 7.9 points, 3.5 assists, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. She even earned a spot on the WNBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2022. Now, she’s back — and this time, she’s aiming higher. “It has been remarkable to watch Gabby compete on the international stage and establish herself as one of the top guards in the WNBA,” said Storm GM Talisa Rhea. She praised Gabby for her versatility, playmaking, and impact on both ends, calling her a phenomenal teammate.

Head coach Noelle Quinn echoed that praise. “Gabby is such a versatile player who is dangerous both on the offensive and defensive end,” she said. “She’s a student of the game and is constantly striving for excellence, which showed during her stellar Olympic performance last summer. I know her contributions this year are going to be game-changing for our team.” Gabby feels that support — and it’s lighting a fire. She shared how the belief from the entire organization, from coaches to trainers to the media team, boosts her confidence. “It makes me think like I don’t have a choice but to do great for these people because they’ve been so great to me,” she said.

Getting to training camp early gives her a head start. She’s already in rhythm. She knows the system. She knows her role. This year, she plans to speak up more, be bolder, and lead from the jump. “Now I know where I’m going to fit in. It’s going to be very clear to myself, to my teammates, to the staff,” she said. And she’s drawing energy from the veterans around her. “I think that’s what’s so great about the team that we’ve built this year — anyone can go off on any night,” said Gabby Williams, already settling into a leadership role before training camp hits full stride. Her early arrival isn’t just about getting sharper — it’s about setting the tone. And she’s not doing it alone.

This year’s Storm squad is deep, seasoned, and dangerous. The roster is loaded with vets who know what it takes to win. Ezi Magbegor, Skylar Diggins-Smith, Nneka Ogwumike, and newcomer Arella Guirantes are just a few of the strong voices ready to help shape this team’s identity.