For years, Pokey Chatman stood alone as the first and only Black woman in the WNBA’s top 20 all-time coaching wins. Until now. Turns out that their win against the Aces brought the Storm some good news outside of the roster. Because, with her 82nd victory as a head coach, Noelle Quinn has officially joined the ranks. It’s almost poetic how the same franchise she once suited up for became the launchpad for her coaching career.

With the Storm, she won a WNBA championship as an assistant coach in 2020. She then took the reins as one of the league’s youngest head coaches in 2021. And now in 2025, she has etched her name into the franchise history by being one of the Top 20 all-time coaches. From player to record-breaking play-caller, she has come a long way with the Seattle Storm. This level of loyalty deserves special shout-outs with special colors. Which is exactly what the franchise and mentee Gabby Williams did.

As soon as Quinn made it to the top 20, the Seattle Storm took it to their social media (Instagram) and lit up their feed with a tribute post. It was drenched in their signature green glow, with Quinn’s picture placed right in the center. Above her, in clean, commanding font: “Top 20 All-Time Wins.” And the caption? It was just three words that said it all: “Our fearless leader 🫡.” However, it wasn’t just the franchise that showed love. Storm players celebrated the moment individually too.

Gabby Williams reshared the announcement on her Instagram story and dubbed it with something special. She wrote “Did that Shi- mad quick too.” That statement made total sense. Because the coaches who make it to that list, typically average about 15-20 wins a year and it takes them 7+ seasons to get there. Whereas in Quinn’s case, her 82nd win likely came in her 4th season. Which means that she has been averaging around 20–25 wins per season.

Williams’ cheeky shout-out wasn’t just hype—it was a nod to how Quinn’s leadership brings out the best in her players. One of the major reasons that she has reached this milestone earlier than others is the bond she has cultivated with her players.

It’s often visible in their postgame pressers that coach Quinn embraces her roster with an open heart, and in return, they show up for her. One standout moment was when the Storm re-signed Gabby Williams last August and she chose to play for them instead of leaving for EuroBasket. Quinn was absolutely elated and she didn’t shy away from showing it. “We’re thrilled to have Gabby back… we know she can have an immediate impact,” she told SB Nation. That heartfelt welcome by Quinn, translated into a breakout season and powerful shoutout by Williams, whatever you give to the world, comes back sooner or later.

Gabby Williams’ devotion to Seattle Storm

Gabby Williams is proving just how much players flourish when they’re in the right environment. Her 2025 breakout season with the Seattle Storm says it all. This year, she made a difficult choice by skipping EuroBasket to fully commit to the WNBA season. It was a decision that spoke volumes about her loyalty to the team. During a stretch of early injuries and big expectations. “It’s obviously not a very easy decision to make,” she admitted to DallasHoopsJournal.com.

“But I think the position that our team is in this year, I couldn’t permit myself to leave.” That sacrifice is already showing results. In the Storm’s recent 90–83 win over the Aces, Gabby Williams shined in every facet of the game. She stood tall alongside vets like Nneka Ogwumike and Skylar Diggins. It was the kind of performance that reminded everyone of her Olympic-level play with France in 2024. She was even rewarded with a one-year supermax deal just under $250K after multiple teams pursued her in free agency.

For Gabby Williams, coming back wasn’t just about the contract, it was more about feeling at home. After spending parts of four seasons with the Storm, the 28-year-old said that her comfort with the team has been huge for her development. “I’ve been with Seattle now for four years, and I think that they know me pretty well,” she told Mirror U.S. Sports right before their Aces game. Her return was emotional from the jump, she made the announcement by declaring “Seattle, I’m back!” as per ESPN.

Head coach Noelle Quinn didn’t hold back either. She called Williams’ presence a game-changer. “Gabby is such a versatile player who is dangerous both on the offensive and defensive end. She’s a student of the game and is constantly striving for excellence, which showed during her stellar Olympic performance last summer.” That deep trust between player and coach has been a driving force all season. And now, it’s turning into some real success on the court.