The Seattle Hurricane and ahead Gabby Williams affirmative to a rest-of-season agreement, the workforce introduced Tuesday. The offer comes nearest Williams led the French nationwide workforce in issues (15.5) and assists (2.3) en path to incomes a silver medal on the Paris Olympics and just about defeating the American citizens.
Williams, 27, performed a career-low 10 video games for the Hurricane extreme season, however her 8.4 issues and three.8 assists are profession bests. The UConn product used to be decided on by means of the Chicago Sky because the Negative. 4 pick out within the 2018 NBA Draft, the place she spent the primary 3 seasons of her profession.
“I’m so excited to be joining the Storm for the rest of the season,” Williams stated in a observation. “I feel more than ready to finally return to Seattle. I’ve missed the organization, my teammates and the fans so much. I absolutely can’t wait to come back and finish the season strong.”
GUESS WHO’S BACK
Welcome house, @gabbywilliams15!
— Seattle Hurricane (@seattlestorm) August 20, 2024
Seattle mentor Noelle Quinn seems to be similarly excited to have Williams again with the Hurricane.
“We’re thrilled to have Gabby back with the Storm,” Quinn stated. “Gabby is a dynamic player who brings tremendous versatility. She’s a two-way player that can guard multiple positions and has a strong offensive game; given her familiarity with our system, we know she can have an immediate impact.
“Gabby’s Olympic performance showcased her world-class talent, and we’re excited to have her join us as we push for the playoffs.”
Why is that this taking place now?
Seattle has been in moderation hoarding cap dimension for the extreme age or so, maintaining a full-time roster of 10 avid gamers week biking Kiana Williams thru a order of seven-day commitments. That provides the Hurricane with simply plethora cap room as of late to signal Williams to a pro-rated veteran minimal offer for the remains of the season.
Had Williams opted to not re-join Seattle, the Hurricane would have had the strategy to seek for an improve by way of industry prior to the WNBA industry cut-off date’s Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET.
What Williams brings to Hurricane
Williams had an excellent event on the Paris Olympics and has shined in Eu play games, however she shall be requested to reserve a distinct function in Seattle.
With Skylar Diggins-Smith at level, Williams should play games extra off ball. The spacing may get difficult for a profession 24.8 p.c 3-point shooter on a workforce this is already the worst within the league from lengthy field.
It’s non-transperant if she’ll even get started because the Hurricane’s establishing 5 of Diggins-Smith, Jewell Loyd, Jordan Horston, Nneka Ogwumike and Ezi Magbegor is outscoring fighters by means of 12.5 issues in step with 100 possessions. What Williams does convey, regardless of if she’s establishing or off the bench, is backup launch mixed with dynamite perimeter protection.
She used to be an all-defense variety with a 2.13 assist-to-turnover ratio in her extreme complete WNBA season in 2022 when Seattle misplaced to eventual champion Las Vegas within the postseason semifinals. The Hurricane will want higher taking pictures out of Loyd and Sami Whitcomb to accumulation Williams at the court docket, however there’s modest chance to bringing her in at this level of the season when the participant she’s changing wasn’t part of the rotation.
Williams is usual with Loyd, Magbegor and Quinn, and is relaxed at the largest levels.
Required studying
(Picture: Sarah Stier / Getty Photographs)
