Sue Bird and Isaiah Thomas are among the top basketball stars that reacted to Gabby Williams return to Seattle (Images via IMAGN)Sue Bird and Isaiah Thomas are among the top basketball stars that reacted to Gabby Williams return to Seattle (Images via IMAGN)

The Seattle Storm has reunited with defensive stalwart Gabby Williams. Williams has not played in the WNBA this year, partly because the league’s Prioritization rule prompted her to focus on representing France at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Williams’s recent return was announced on the Seattle Storm Instagram page.

Several basketball stars are thrilled that Williams is back with Seattle. Among those stars is two-time NBA champion Isaiah Thomas, who shared his thoughts with a comment under the Storm’s post.

“Yeah she was killing in the Olympics,” Thomas commented.

Isaiah Thomas praises Gabby Williams as her return to Seattle is announced (Image via Storm's Instagram)Isaiah Thomas praises Gabby Williams as her return to Seattle is announced (Image via Storm’s Instagram)
Several other NBA standouts, including Nate Robinson, also hailed Williams’ return. Additionally, Seattle Storm legend Sue Bird and rookie Nika Muhl shared Seattle’s post in their Instagram Stories.
Sue Bird's IG Story (Image via Sue Bird's Instagram) Nate Robinson's comment (Image via Seattle Storm's Instagram)Sue Bird’s IG Story (Image via Sue Bird’s Instagram) Nate Robinson’s comment (Image via Seattle Storm’s Instagram)
Gabby Williams was drafted fourth overall by the Chicago Sky in 2018. She was traded to the LA Sparks in 2021 but didn’t play that year as she remained overseas to compete. In 2022, she was traded to the Seattle Storm.

How did the WNBA’s Prioritization Rule affect Gabby Williams?

The Prioritization Rule is a clause in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between the WNBA and its Players Association. It was partially implemented in 2023 and took full effect during the 2024 season. The rule requires players under contract with WNBA teams to prioritize their WNBA commitment over any contracts with overseas teams.

In 2023, the clause stated that players who’ve played more than two seasons in the WNBA must report to their team by the beginning of training camp. If a player failed to do so, she would have to pay a fine. If the player missed the start of the regular season, they would be suspended.

The punishment became harsher in 2024, as players who failed to report at the beginning of training camp were suspended for the entire season.

Gabby Williams was a free agent entering 2024. Remaining a free agent meant she was not affected by the Prioritization Rule, as she did not have to report to training camp.

This, in turn, allowed her to remain in France to prepare for the Paris Olympics.

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Edited by Joshua Broom