As the Gabby Williams and Kevin Durant comparisons on social media ramp up, many are curious to learn more about the basketball star who played on France’s team. With just seconds left in the 2024 Paris Olympics women’s gold medal match between the French and Team USA, Gabby made a successful “Hail Mary” shot but ultimately didn’t win the French the gold medal. The move has been compared to Kevin’s 2021 shot at the 2021 Eastern Conference semifinals.
Hollywood Life has rounded up all the details you should know about Gabby.
Gabby Is From Nevada
The Olympian was born in Sparks, Nevada. Raised by her American father, Matthew, and French mother, Therese, Gabby grew up speaking fluent French. She later attended her hometown’s Edward C. Reed High School, where she played basketball.
She Was a Track and Field Athlete
Though she played basketball in high school, Gabby was also a track and field player. According to several outlets, Gabby was named the Gatorade Nevada Girls Track & Field Athlete of the Year in 2011 and 2012.
Gabby Has Dual American and French Citizenship
After graduating from high school, Gabby attended the University of Connecticut. Afterward, she committed to representing France at the 2020 Tokyo and the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Since she has relatives who live in the country, Gabby was considered eligible to play for the team even though she was born in the U.S.
UNBELIEVABLE ENDING IN PARIS. 😱
Gabby Williams banked it in at the buzzer but her FOOT WAS ON THE THREE-POINT LINE. TEAM USA WINS BY A SINGLE POINT.#ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/DJI7YxfVMl
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 11, 2024
She Almost Won Against Team USA
With just seconds to spare against Team USA, Gabby threw a desperation shot and made a basket, but she stepped over the three-point line. This effectively ended the game rather than put it into overtime.
Gabby Was Drafted for the WNBA
In 2018, Gabby was drafted fourth overall by the Chicago Sky. Nearly three years later, she was traded to the Los Angeles Sparks.
Previously, Gabby spoke to The Next about the WNBA. While noting that she would have loved “to be in the WNBA because it’s the best league in the world for women’s basketball, the most competitive, the highest skill level,” Gabby pointed out that it “doesn’t pay the most.”
“So, I am happy to have other options to provide for me and my family,” Gabby clarified.
While speaking with ESPN during a separate interview in 2021, the Nevada native said she felt like she was “exactly where [she was] supposed to be” in her career.
“I’m giving my all into what I want to give my all into,” the Olympian added. “I’m finally happy playing basketball again. Really just enjoying myself; basketball is fun for me. And I feel like I’m becoming the player I’ve always wanted to strive to be.”
