While Team USA has won its eighth consecutive gold, one player that captured all hearts in this game was the French star, Gabby Williams. She single-handedly brought France back into the game multiple times which put pressure on the USA team. Eventually, the Americans managed to win the contest by a narrow margin of a singular point. Williams certainly became a crowd favorite with this, hitting a team-high 19 points along with 7 rebounds and 3 steals.

Thus, it was obvious for fans to question her absence in the WNBA since 2023. Let’s take a look at the reason why Williams is not plying her trade in one of the biggest women’s basketball leagues.

When did Gabby Williams last play in the WNBA?

It would be surprising for many fans to know that Williams was born in Sparks, Nevada in the USA on September 9, 1996. However, her American connection doesn’t only end here. Williams was also drafted into the WNBA as the fourth overall pick by the Chicago Sky in 2018. She stayed with the Sky till 2021 when it was announced that she was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks.

Williams didn’t get any game for the Sparks as the Seattle Storm got her in a trade with Katie Lou Samuelson that sent the latter to the Sparks. However, after 2023, Williams for some unexpected reason did not take the hardwood for the Storm this season. And if reports are to be believed, she will not be a part of the WNBA for the entire season this year due to the league’s prioritization rule. But that’s not just us saying this. Instead, Williams revealed it herself during an interview in September last year.

“2024 looks like it’s not possible, more so because of prioritization and of course even if I were to come, it would be in August with the Olympics,” Williams had stated via ESPN. But due to the same rule, even her participation in the 2023 WNBA was put in danger.

Gabby Williams suffered due to the league prioritization rule

Williams had suffered a concussion last year while participating for the club ASVEL during the French league playoffs. During the first year of the rule, unsigned players had to complete their off-season commitments before the start of the WNBA regular season. So, when Williams suffered an injury in the ASVEL, she decided to play for the WNBA. However, that wasn’t possible next year onwards.

In 2024, the rule required unsigned free agents to complete their off-season duties before the start of the training camp. Plus, another reason for it was that the WNBA training camp also started a bit earlier than usual keeping the Olympics break in mind. Hence, Williams who chose to represent France in the quadrennial event decided to go with her “obligations that I’ve had in place for two years now, so I’m going to see those through.” Williams further joked that she did not want to get another concussion this season. However, the 27-year-old expressed that she plans “on coming back” in 2025.

Though fans won’t be able to see Williams in 2024 in the WNBA, they would be hoping that Williams returns to the league in 2025 as she has stated. Till then they can keep this memory alive of the day when France nearly snatched the gold medal from Team USA’s women’s basketball teams.

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