Gabby Williams Sets the Record Straight Over Sky Return After Angel Reese’s Request as France Star Eyes WNBA Future Again

Gabby Williams almost left everyone speechless at the Bercy Arena in Paris on Sunday. With France down three in the final seconds of the Gold Medal game against the USA, Williams launched a one-handed shot that went in but didn’t tie the game as she was just inside the 3-point line. She somehow managed to make a game of it in the final minute as the US ended up scrapping past the hosts by one point to win its eighth consecutive Olympic Gold. The 27-year-old French forward became the star of the night, though, with people calling for her comeback to the WNBA, including Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese.

“OK, now that the game is over, would you like to be (a part) of the Chicago Sky again? Thought it wouldn’t hurt to try,” Reese requested on X. The French power forward had been a part of the Sky from 2018 to 2020. In fact, it was the Chicago Sky who picked her as the No. 4 pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft. However, Williams doesn’t seem interested in coming back.

“Orrrrr we could just play together for a différent organization,” she replied without wasting a minute. For Williams, the offer wasn’t made at the right time. Since she highlighted “play together for a different organization,” it seems she still isn’t interested in playing in the WNBA after last playing for the Seattle Storm in 2023.

In an interview with The Next last year, Williams cited salary as a reason why she won’t be returning to the WNBA. “I would love to be in the WNBA because it’s the best league in the world for women’s basketball… Unfortunately, it doesn’t pay the most. So I am happy to have other options to provide for me and my family,” she said.

Obviously, she wanted to devote herself fully to training for France at the Olympics. It was this devotion that made her a pest to Team USA throughout the Gold medal game. She led with 19 points and 7 rebounds. She even converted three of six shots from the 3-point range.

But the Chi-town Barbie, who’s enjoying a stellar season with the Sky, averaging 13.5 points with 12 rebounds, seemed disheartened. She wrote, “Sigh,” as Chennedy Carter, Kamilla Cardoso, Angel Reese, and Gabby Williams would have formed an epic team. But there’s another way to remain true to their teams while playing together.

If not the WNBA, then a “different” league.

It’s Unrivaled—a newly formed league by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart that promises higher pay for WNBA players. There are 30 spots, and only 10 of them are filled so far. It’s going to be a three-on-three game with full-court exposure to let players improve. The best part about it is that Angel Reese is already one of the top ten signees.

“Being able to make—what?—six figures. Being able to make six figures here within three months…just being able to get better…three-on-three exposes everything. So, I’m excited for it,” she said after practice on August 8th. Now, Gabby Williams may find a spot for herself there. Then maybe the Chicago Sky rookie and the French team standout can make it.

For sure, it’ll be explosive. The 2024 Olympic silver medalist boasts an average of 15.5 points and 4.7 rebounds, whereas the 22-year-old Sky standout features 13.5 points per contest. What do you think? Will they play together in the future?

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.