Photo by: Zoe Malen
Valkyries star Gabby Williams is Unrivaled.
The guard announced she signed a three-year deal with Unrivaled, the player-operated 3×3 league based in Miami on Thursday. She will begin with the league, which was founded by WNBA players Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, in January of 2027.
"The opportunity to compete alongside some of the best players in the world, continue growing my game, and be a part of something that is pushing women's basketball forward is truly special," Williams said in a statement.
Williams has scored more than 20 points in each of the last five Valkyries games and leads the team in scoring with a career-high 16.3 points per game and is second in assists with 2.5 per game. Her 37.8% shooting percentage from three-point range is also a career-high.
Widely regarded as one of the best defensive players in the WNBA, Williams has been a strong addition to the two-way approach of Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase. She finished second in last year's Defensive Player of the Year voting and is eighth in WNBA All-Star voting after the league’s first round, leading all Valkyries players.
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“Yeah, I think Gabby has been very mindful when she needs to attack, when she needs to see that open space and pull up,” Nakase said after the Valkyries win over Dallas on Wednesday. “When she sees enough open space, she pulls a three. I think Gabby is just making reads. Whether it's pick-and-rolls or hand-offs, or just in the open court, it's credit to her ability to just pick the defense apart…She's so selfless, so I think that's key. She doesn't mind mixing it up.”
Williams, who represents France internationally, won consecutive EuroLeague Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2025 and 2026 with Turkish club Fenerbahçe. Some Unrivaled players join their overseas team after the season ends, but with a January-to-March season, it seems unlikely she will play there next season.
Last season Tiffany Hayes and Veronica Burton played in Unrivaled along with former Valkyries players Monique Billings, Temi Fagbenle and Kate Martin. Williams was one of new brand-new players announced for the league on Thursday, along with Minnesota Lynx Oliva Miles.
“The opportunity to compete alongside some of the best players in the world, continue growing my game, and be part of something that is pushing women’s basketball forward is truly special,” Williams said in a statement. “Can’t wait to get started. See you soon, Unrivaled!”