The Seattle Storm have announced that forward Gabby Williams will be sitting out the 2024 WNBA season due to the league’s new prioritization rule. The rule, which was implemented in 2021, allows players to prioritize their international commitments over their WNBA season.
Williams, who is a two-time WNBA All-Star, has been playing professionally in Europe since 2019 and is currently signed with the Turkish team Fenerbahce. She has also been a member of the U.S. national team since 2018. With her commitments to both teams, she will not be able to play in the 2024 WNBA season.
The prioritization rule was created to give players more flexibility and freedom to pursue their international careers without having to choose between them and the WNBA. This is especially beneficial for players like Williams, who have multiple commitments.
The Storm have expressed their support for Williams’ decision and are confident that she will continue to be an important part of the team when she returns. They also understand that this is an important step for her career and are willing to make the necessary adjustments to accommodate her schedule.
Williams’ absence will be a big loss for the Storm, but they are confident that they can still be successful in her absence. The team has already made several roster moves to fill the void left by Williams, including signing two new players and trading for a veteran guard.
It is unclear when Williams will return to the WNBA, but it is clear that she will be missed by the Storm and their fans. While her absence may be a setback for the team, they remain optimistic that they can still be successful without her.
Overall, Williams’ decision to prioritize her international commitments is understandable and shows her commitment to her career. The Storm have expressed their support for her decision and are confident that they can still be successful in her absence. It will be interesting to see how the team fares without Williams in 2024 and if she will return in the future.
