Gabby Williams is a French-American professional basketball player for the Golden State Valkyries of the WNBA and a key member of France’s national team. Born September 9, 1996, she is 30 years old as of September 2026.
She has built a career around versatility and defense, developing from a decorated UConn forward into a WNBA All-Star and one of France’s leading players.
Gabby Williams Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | Gabby Williams |
| Date of birth | September 9, 1996 |
| Age | 30 |
| Birthplace | Sparks, Nevada |
| Height | 5 feet 11 inches (180 cm) |
| Position | Forward |
| Nationality | French-American |
| College | UConn |
| WNBA team | Golden State Valkyries |
| WNBA draft | No. 4 overall, 2018 |
| National team | France |
| Olympic medals | 2 silver medals |
| 2026 World Cup role | France captain |
FIBA lists Williams at 180 cm and identifies her nationality as France/USA. The Golden State Valkyries list her as a 5-foot-11 forward on their 2026 roster.
How Old Is Gabby Williams?
Gabby Williams is 30 years old. She was born on September 9, 1996, in Sparks, Nevada. Her 30th birthday was September 9, 2026.
Williams grew up in Nevada and attended Edward C. Reed High School in Sparks before becoming a standout at the University of Connecticut. UConn records list Sparks as her hometown and Reed High School as her high school.
Gabby Williams’ College Career at UConn
Williams played four seasons for the UConn Huskies and finished her college career with an impressive collection of honors.
She was part of UConn’s NCAA championship teams in 2015 and 2016 and earned All-American recognition during her junior and senior seasons. In 2018, she won the Cheryl Miller Award, which recognizes the nation’s top small forward.
Her game was not built solely around scoring. Williams established a reputation for defending, rebounding, creating plays and making an impact across several areas of the court. That versatility also influenced how she described what she wanted to bring to the WNBA after being drafted.
Away from basketball, UConn records show that she studied Urban and Community Studies and minored in Africana Studies.
When Was Gabby Williams Drafted Into the WNBA?
The Chicago Sky selected Gabby Williams with the fourth overall pick in the first round of the 2018 WNBA Draft.
She was one of three UConn players selected in that first round, alongside Azurá Stevens and Kia Nurse.
Williams entered the league as a player known for defense and playmaking rather than simply being a high-volume scorer. Those qualities have remained central to her professional career.
Gabby Williams’ WNBA Career
Williams spent her first WNBA seasons with the Chicago Sky before moving through a career that eventually brought her to the Seattle Storm. Seattle became an important part of her development, particularly as she continued to establish herself as an elite defensive player.
In 2025, she produced the best statistical season of her WNBA career to that point. With Seattle, she averaged 11.6 points, 4.2 assists and 2.3 steals per game while shooting 85.3% from the free-throw line. Her 99 steals led the league and were one short of the WNBA single-season record.
That season earned Williams her first WNBA All-Star selection and a place on the All-Defensive First Team.
Gabby Williams and the Golden State Valkyries
In April 2026, Williams signed a multi-year contract with the Golden State Valkyries. She joined the expansion franchise after four seasons with Seattle.
The move also had a personal connection to the Bay Area. The Valkyries said Williams has deep roots in the region and described the signing as a major addition for the team’s second WNBA season.
Her first season in Golden State quickly became a major step forward offensively.
By July, Williams had become the first player in Valkyries franchise history selected as a WNBA All-Star starter. At that point, the team reported that she was averaging a career-high 15.0 points per game while shooting 35.6% from three-point range.
Gabby Williams and the French National Team
Although Williams was born in Nevada, she represents France internationally.
FIBA lists her as a French-American player, and she has become one of the central figures in the French women’s national team.
Her international career includes appearances at the Tokyo Olympics and the Paris 2024 Olympics. At Paris 2024, she helped France win the silver medal and was named the tournament’s Best Defensive Player. She was also selected to the Olympic All-Star Five.
Her final play in the 2024 Olympic gold-medal game became one of the most memorable moments of her international career. Williams hit a difficult two-point shot at the buzzer against the United States, but the shot left France two points short of forcing overtime. An official Olympic analysis noted that the basket would have tied the game had it been taken slightly farther from the three-point line.
Gabby Williams as France’s 2026 World Cup Captain
Williams took on an even larger role for France at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.
The French Basketball Federation named her captain for the tournament, recognizing her leadership as well as her importance on the court.
Through France’s first four World Cup games, Williams led the team in scoring at 17.5 points per game. She also averaged 5.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.5 steals.
France entered the semifinals with a 4-0 record after beating China in the quarterfinals. Williams scored 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds in that quarterfinal victory. France’s semifinal against Germany was scheduled for September 12, 2026, in Berlin.
That makes the 2026 World Cup particularly significant for Williams. France had reached the tournament’s top four for the first time since 1953 and was pursuing its first-ever World Cup final appearance.
Gabby Williams’ Defensive Achievements
Defense has been one of the clearest themes throughout Williams’ career.
She won the EuroLeague Women Defensive Player of the Year award in 2021 and again in 2025. FIBA reported that she retained the award in 2026, giving her three wins in the category. In the 2025-26 EuroLeague Women season, she averaged 13.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and a league-leading 3.0 steals per game.
Her defensive reputation has carried over to the WNBA. She earned All-Defensive honors before becoming a WNBA All-Star, and her 2025 league-leading steal total reinforced her standing as one of the WNBA’s best perimeter defenders.
What Makes Gabby Williams Stand Out?
Williams’ value comes from being able to affect a game without relying on one particular skill.
She can defend opposing guards and wings, handle the ball, create for teammates, rebound and score from the perimeter. That combination has allowed her to contribute in different roles for both the WNBA and French national teams.
Her 2026 season with Golden State has added another dimension. The Valkyries have used her as a major offensive option, while her defensive ability remains a defining part of her game.
In international basketball, that all-around skill set has made her particularly valuable to France, where she has combined scoring with playmaking and defensive pressure.
Gabby Williams’ Career Right Now
As of September 2026, Williams is a 30-year-old WNBA All-Star, Golden State Valkyries forward and France national-team captain. Her career has developed from two NCAA championships at UConn into major professional honors in both the WNBA and European basketball.
She has also signed a multi-year contract with Unrivaled, with her playing debut scheduled for the league’s third season. Her club was still to be determined when the league announced the agreement in June 2026.
For a player who entered the WNBA as the No. 4 pick in 2018, Williams’ trajectory has been defined less by a single breakthrough season than by steady expansion of her role. In 2026, she has reached another level, becoming both an All-Star starter in the WNBA and the captain of France at the World Cup.
FAQs
How old is Gabby Williams?
Gabby Williams is 30 years old as of September 2026. She was born September 9, 1996.
What team does Gabby Williams play for?
Gabby Williams plays for the Golden State Valkyries in the WNBA. She signed a multi-year contract with the team in April 2026 after four seasons with the Seattle Storm.
Where did Gabby Williams go to college?
Gabby Williams played college basketball at the University of Connecticut. She helped UConn win NCAA championships in 2015 and 2016.
How tall is Gabby Williams?
Gabby Williams is listed at 5 feet 11 inches, or 180 cm, by FIBA and the Golden State Valkyries.
Does Gabby Williams play for France?
Yes. Williams represents France internationally and served as captain of the French women’s national team at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.
What did Gabby Williams win at the 2024 Olympics?
Williams won a silver medal with France at the Paris 2024 Olympics and was named the tournament’s Best Defensive Player. She was also selected to the All-Star Five.
Source list
- FIBA Basketball: Gabby Williams – France, FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026, Access Date: September 12, 2026.
- FIBA Basketball: Gabby Williams – Player Profile, Access Date: September 12, 2026.
- FIBA Basketball: France Team Profile – FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup 2026, Access Date: September 12, 2026.
- FIBA Basketball: Gabby Williams is Paris 2024 Best Defensive Player, Access Date: September 12, 2026.
- Golden State Valkyries: Golden State Valkyries Announce Final 2026 Roster, Access Date: September 12, 2026.
- Golden State Valkyries: Golden State Valkyries Sign WNBA All-Star Forward Gabby Williams to Multi-Year Deal, Access Date: September 12, 2026.
- Golden State Valkyries: Gabby Williams Selected by Cynthia Cooper in 2026 WNBA All-Star Draft, Access Date: September 12, 2026.
- University of Connecticut Athletics: UConn Trio Taken in WNBA First Round, Access Date: September 12, 2026.
- University of Connecticut Athletics: Student-Athlete Strong: Gabby Williams, Access Date: September 12, 2026.
- FIBA Basketball: Williams claims third Defensive Player of the Year award, Access Date: September 12, 2026.
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