Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese, moved by Williams’ performance for Team France, made a public plea on social media for the star to return to the WNBA and join her on the Chicago Sky roster. This interaction has sparked renewed speculation about whether Williams will make a comeback to the league where she once began her professional career.
Gabby Williams, a versatile forward with dual American-French citizenship, delivered an electrifying performance in the Olympic gold medal game. She led France with 19 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and three steals, coming agonizingly close to forcing overtime against the powerhouse Team USA. However, her last-second shot, which would have tied the game, was ruled a two-pointer as her foot was on the line, allowing the U.S. to secure a narrow 67-66 victory.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, Williams’ performance did not go unnoticed. Angel Reese, who watched the game as an avid fan and competitor, took to X (formerly Twitter) to recruit Williams back to the Chicago Sky. “Ok now that the game is over, would you like to be a part of the Chicago Sky again??? @gabbywilliams15 😭🤔 (thought it wouldn’t hurt to try lmaoo),” Reese wrote, in a post that quickly gained traction among basketball fans.
Williams, who was drafted fourth overall by the Sky in 2018, spent three seasons with the team before being traded to the Los Angeles Sparks in 2021. Her time in the WNBA was marked by her defensive prowess and versatility on the court, although she never quite reached the superstar status some had anticipated. Since then, Williams has been focusing on her international career, representing France in both the Tokyo and Paris Olympics and playing in European leagues where she can command a higher salary than what the WNBA offers.
In response to Reese’s playful recruitment, Williams hinted that a return to the WNBA might not be on her radar. “Orrrrr we could just play together for a different organization,” she replied, suggesting that while she would love to play with Reese, she might not do so in the WNBA.
This response highlights a larger issue that has been a topic of discussion among WNBA players: the league’s prioritization rule and its impact on player salaries and career choices. Williams has previously expressed her frustration with the rule, which requires players to prioritize their WNBA commitments over other leagues. This rule has led to conflicts for players who also compete in more lucrative international leagues, like Williams, who has been able to earn significantly more playing overseas.
The interaction between Reese and Williams has reignited conversations about the challenges WNBA players face in balancing their careers between the league and international opportunities. While the WNBA is considered the most competitive women’s basketball league in the world, it does not offer the highest salaries, forcing many players to seek better-paying opportunities abroad.
Williams’ reluctance to return to the WNBA is also tied to her previous experiences with the league. In 2021, she was placed on the full-season suspended list by the Chicago Sky after prioritizing her commitments to the French national team, a decision that soured her relationship with the organization. Although Reese reminded Williams that the individuals responsible for that decision are no longer with the Sky, it appears that Williams remains hesitant to rejoin the league under its current conditions.
Despite this, there remains a possibility for Williams to return to the WNBA if the right conditions are met. As a free agent, she could sign with any team before the end of the regular season, and with several WNBA teams having cap space and the need for a player of her caliber, a return is not entirely out of the question.
Moreover, the emergence of the Unrivaled league, a new initiative by WNBA stars Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, could offer a compromise. The league promises higher pay for players and a format that could appeal to those like Williams who are seeking both competitive play and better compensation. Reese has already signed on to Unrivaled, and there’s speculation that Williams might consider joining as well.