While the collective agreement in force in the WNBA could suspend it for the entire 2023 financial year in the event of absence for the start of the season, Gabby Williams claims to be ready to make this sacrifice for the France team.
Gabby Williams does not yet know what her future will hold. While currently playing under the colors of ASVEL, the French international winger could have a choice to make in the weeks to come. Indeed, while she is also linked to the WNBA franchise of the Seattle Storm, the 26-year-old player could suffer from certain obscure clauses of the new collective agreement concerning players playing in the North American basketball championship. One of these clauses is a suspension for the entire season if a player with more than three years of experience in the league is absent for the start of the regular season, set for June 19.
However, if ASVEL reaches the final of the Women’s Basketball League (LFB), Gabby Williams will be unable to join Seattle in time. In such a case, the native of Sparks is aware of what will happen. ” If ASVEL ends up playing the championship final, I would be suspended for the American season no matter what.she admits bluntly in an interview with the daily The team. I will then switch to the France team and this objective of the Euro, which we must win. “Not wishing to address in front of the media what would happen in the event of ASVEL qualifying for the LFB final, Gabby Williams ensures that she knew perfectly well what could happen.
Williams: “I chose Lyon for the France team”
« I knew when I signed for ASVEL last year that there was a possibility that I would be suspended, says the winger with 33 caps for Les Bleues. Seeing the dates, whether it was played in one or two days, I said to myself that it was a shame. But I consoled myself by telling myself that at least the sacrifice was for the France team, on which I modeled my career. “However, Gabby Williams claims to have entrusted coach Jean-Aimé Toupane with his wish to reconcile the two. “It still represents a big contract and an important part of my career,” she added. But if the French international has one regret, it’s that “people are only starting to realize now how ridiculous the situation is”.
« When players signed this, most only saw the promise of bigger salaries, she adds. But even at the maximum salary in the WNBA, I would not earn as much as in Lyon. An arrival at ASVEL which was dictated by Gabby Williams’ desire to play for the France team with a goal in mind. “I chose Lyon for the France team, knowing that I was also sure to miss the WNBA in 2024 for the Olympic Games, sums up the international winger. It’s the ultimate goal that will justify all the effort, but I can’t sacrifice everything either. “Gabby Williams will therefore have to wait to find out where she will play in the coming months.
