Former UConn women’s basketball player Gabby Williams will take part in her second straight Olympics, as the former Huskies star was officially named to the French national team on Monday.
The 5-11 forward helped lead France to a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, the country’s second-ever medal in women’s basketball.
Williams played for UConn from 2014-18 and won back-to-back national titles with the Huskies in 2014 and ’15. She was a two-time All-American, and won American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2016-17.
The 27-year-old grew up in Nevada but competes for France in part because her mother is from there, and she has extended family in Paris. She also plays for ASVEL in the French professional league.
Williams’ commitment to the French national team has cost her at least one WNBA season, as she was suspended after missing the start of training camp with the Chicago Sky while practicing with France in 2021. The league’s prioritization rule, which requires players to be with their WNBA teams by the start of the regular season or be suspended for the season, meant Williams couldn’t return to the league this season, either, as she continues to play for ASVEL. Williams has said she plans to play in the WNBA in 2025.
Olympic women’s basketball will take place from July 27-Aug. 11. France will begin play against Canada on July 29 at 11:15 a.m. ET.
