In 2025, Gabby Williams came just one steal shy of breaking a WNBA record that has stood for nearly two decades. That level of defensive dominance is precisely why the Seattle Storm’s major announcement on Thursday was not just deserved, but a significant recognition of her elite status.

The Seattle Storm entered the last season with a roster affected by injuries, but riding the momentum Williams build they wrapped up another challenging campaign with 23-21. While that may not be an ideal stat for many, the franchise is still taking the ‘glass half full’ approach, as they celebrate the impact Williams had.

The Seattle Storm announced that Williams has been nominated for Seattle Women’s Sports Star of the Year, following what was the most complete season of her professional career.

And if you are wondering what exactly she did, Williams delivered a historic defensive campaign. She finished the regular season as the league’s leader when it comes to steals with 99, becoming the only player to cross the 70-steal mark and coming close to breaking the WNBA record (100) that has stood since 2006.

Gabby Williams also went on to average career highs in:

• Points (11.6)
• Rebounds (4.3)
• Assists (4.2)

Which helped her earn her first All-Star selection and a spot on the All-Defensive First Team. So if we had to label it, it was the most well-rounded version of her game since entering the league.

But besides the stats, she even went out of her way to prove her loyalty to the Storm franchise. Despite having the opportunity to represent the French national team at EuroBasket in the middle of the WNBA season, she chose to remain in Seattle as the Storm dealt with multiple season-ending injuries and a shortened rotation.

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Now in her fifth season with the Storm and seventh in the league, Williams has become a must-watch player. And fans will be keeping their eyes on her in the upcoming season, given it kicks off as per it’s schedule.

How the Ongoing CBA Standoff Could Shape the WNBA’s Immediate Future

Williams’ recognition arrives at a time when the league itself is navigating uncertain ground.

With negotiations between the WNBA and the WNBPA dragging into another year without a new collective bargaining agreement, the possibility of disruptions to the 2026 season has become increasingly real. Talks have stretched well beyond initial timelines, and while both sides have met again in recent weeks, so far, no resolution is in sight.

Even though it has been eight months now since Gabby Williams offered her insight into the tension underlying those discussions, it still very much holds up.

After attending an in-person CBA meeting last July, the Storm forward openly acknowledged what she believed to be the league’s stance toward emerging leagues like Unrivaled, which work with a player-first approach.

“It’s very clear that the league wants to push away all other leagues,” Williams said.

Though leagues like Unrivaled don’t pose any direct threat to the WNBA as they operate during the off-season, they are still increasing the players’ expectations from a league as they offer better pay and benefits.

So, with players demanding better pay, which reflects the true value they bring in the WNBA, until a new CBA is finalized, the threat of players going on a strike, or the league calling for a lockout, or at least getting the season delayed, seems like a high possibility.