The Golden State Valkyries have signed All-Star forward Gabby Williams to a multiyear contract, adding one of the WNBA’s most versatile defenders to their roster. The team announced the move on Sunday, bringing in a player who just delivered a standout season with the Seattle Storm and earned her first All-Star selection.
Williams arrives after a strong 2025 campaign in which she helped Seattle secure a playoff berth and posted career highs in several categories. She averaged 11.6 points and 4.2 assists, led the league with 2.3 steals per game, and finished with 99 steals, missing Teresa Weatherspoon’s long-standing single-season record by one.
Why the Valkyries Made the Move
Golden State enters only its second season, and the front office moved quickly to add a proven two-way impact player. Valkyries general manager Ohemaa Nyanin said Williams’ choice carried major weight for a young franchise, calling her “world-class” and one of the best defenders in the world.
Williams’ arrival gives the Valkyries a player who can defend multiple positions, create offense, and raise the level of teammates around her. That combination made her valuable in Seattle and should fit a team looking to build an identity around effort, intelligence, and versatility.
A Career Built on Defense and Winning
Williams, who is nicknamed the “French Army Knife,” has built her reputation on doing a little bit of everything at a high level. The 5-foot-11 forward was drafted fourth overall by the Chicago Sky in 2018, spent three seasons there, and later joined the Storm after a short stop with the Los Angeles Sparks.
She signed a one-year deal with Seattle in February and quickly became one of the league’s most disruptive defenders. Her first All-Star nod and All-Defensive First Team honors reflected a season in which she influenced games far beyond the box score.
Key Facts About Gabby Williams
- Drafted fourth overall by the Sky in 2018.
- Earned her first WNBA All-Star selection in 2025.
- Led the WNBA in steals per game with 2.3.
- Finished one steal short of the league’s single-season record.
- Won silver with France at the Paris Olympics.
Her international résumé also adds to her profile. Williams won silver with France at the 2024 Paris Olympics and was named to the All-Star Five, after also helping France win bronze in 2020.
The move gives Golden State a proven veteran entering a multiyear phase with a player whose defense, playmaking, and experience can shape the team immediately. Williams has already shown she can impact winning at multiple levels, and the Valkyries now have her locked in for the next stretch of their growth.