Former UConn star Gabby Williams named to French Olympic team

Another former UConn women’s basketball star is heading to the 2020 Olympics. On Monday, Gabby Williams was named to France’s Olympic roster, thus securing her place in Tokyo. Bria Hartley, who also plays for the French national team and helped them qualify for the Olympics, did not make the roster due to injury.

Though Williams was born in Sparks, Nevada, she still has family in France and is a dual citizen. She most recently played for the French team during the 2021 EuroBasket competition and helped Les Bleues take home silver. France is currently fifth in the FIBA World Rankings.

A member of the LA Sparks organization, Williams is not playing in the WNBA this season after being placed on the full-season suspended list by the Chicago Sky, her former team. The two sides had a falling out in the preseason over Williams’ national team commitments which eventually led to her being traded to Los Angeles.

Williams is one of ten former UConn stars going to Tokyo, joining Sue Bird, Tina Charles, Napheesa Collier, Breanna Stewart and Diana Taurasi (USA 5x5), Stef Dolson and Katie Lou Samuelson (USA 3x3) and Aaliyah Edwards and Kia Nurse (Canada 5x5).

France will open the Olympic tournament against the United States on Sunday, July 25 at 8:00 a.m.