Who Is Gabby Williams? 5 Things to Know About the American-French Olympian

During the last few seconds of the women's Olympics basketball match against Team USA, Gabby threw a "Hail Mary" shot but ultimately didn't get the gold medal. Find out more about the athlete, here.

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Gabby Williams prepare to take a free throw in the women's semifinal basketball match
Image Credit: AFP via Getty Images

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 Franceā€™s team. With just seconds left in the 2024 Paris Olympics womenā€™s gold medal match between the French and Team USA, Gabby made a successful ā€œHail Maryā€ shot but ultimately didnā€™t win the French the gold medal. The move has been compared to Kevinā€™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 hometownā€™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.

 

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 ā€œto be in the WNBA because itā€™s the best league in the world for womenā€™s basketball, the most competitive, the highest skill level,ā€ Gabby pointed out that it ā€œdoesnā€™t pay the most.ā€

ā€œSo, I am happy to have other options to provide for me and my family,ā€ Gabby clarified.

While speaking with ESPN during a separate interview in 2021, the Nevada native said she felt like she was ā€œexactly where [she was] supposed to beā€ in her career.

ā€œIā€™m giving my all into what I want to give my all into,ā€ the Olympian added. ā€œIā€™m finally happy playing basketball again. Really just enjoying myself; basketball is fun for me. And I feel like Iā€™m becoming the player Iā€™ve always wanted to strive to be.ā€