Club 520 Podcast Recap: Gabby Williams on Her UCONN NCAA Title and Becoming a WNBA All-Star for the Storm
Release Date: July 26, 2025
Hosts: Jeff Teague (@jeffteague), DJ Wells (@thatsanopiniondj), Bishop B. Henn (@outthepearlys)
Guest: Gabby Williams
Introduction
In this episode of the Club 520 Podcast, NBA All-Star Jeff Teague sits down with his friends DJ Wells and Bishop B. Henn to have an engaging conversation with Gabby Williams, a standout WNBA player known for her exceptional defensive skills and recent achievement as a WNBA All-Star for the Seattle Storm. The discussion delves into Gabby's illustrious college career at UConn, her journey to winning the NCAA title, and her transition to the professional league.
Gabby Williams' College Career at UConn
Gabby reflects on her time at the University of Connecticut, highlighting the rigorous training and high expectations that come with playing for a prestigious program.
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Pursuing Greatness:
"I just remember coach like when he was recruiting me and he sent me in his office and he was just like, 'You can come here if you want, but if you don't, you'll just lose. We'll win a championship with or without you.'”
(Timestamp: 22:07) -
Overcoming Challenges:
Gabby shares her experience of tearing her ACL twice before fully committing to UConn, emphasizing the mental and physical resilience required to overcome such setbacks.
"When I found out that I needed the second surgery, I broke down. That was tough."
(Timestamp: 13:21)
Winning the NCAA Title
Discussing the triumphant yet challenging journey to winning the NCAA title, Gabby credits her teamwork and the exceptional coaching staff for their success.
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Team Dynamics:
"Playing with Brianna Stewart, though, makes life easier. Games are much easier."
(Timestamp: 27:16) -
Preparation and Hard Work:
"What we did behind closed doors was a lot. We were well prepared for that."
(Timestamp: 26:54)
Transition to the WNBA and Becoming an All-Star
Gabby talks about her seamless transition from college basketball to the WNBA, where her defensive prowess quickly made her a key player for the Seattle Storm.
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Defensive Focus:
"Defense is going to keep me on teams. Defense is going to get me minutes. Defense is going to get me paychecks."
(Timestamp: 16:09) -
Becoming an All-Star:
"This is my first [All-Star] year, and it's going to be worth it."
(Timestamp: 41:56)
Playing for the National Team
Gabby shares her experiences playing for the French national team, highlighting the pride and pressure of representing her country on an international stage.
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National Pride:
"Playing for your national team is so different. You're playing for your country, your family, your people."
(Timestamp: 34:54) -
Facing Top Talent:
"Every game feels so heavy and so much pressure on it, which makes it more exciting."
(Timestamp: 34:54)
Defensive Skills and Gameplay
A significant portion of the conversation focuses on Gabby's defensive skills, her ability to adapt her game as the athletic landscape evolves, and her signature moves on the court.
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Adaptation and Growth:
"I switch it up. I usually do like the same two styles, like pairs of shoes, and then I'll switch up the colors as much as I can."
(Timestamp: 08:28) -
Signature Moves:
"My mid-range has come because I used to be so much more athletic. Now, I use my mid-range to still get to my move without always going to the rim."
(Timestamp: 37:36)
Challenges and Highlights
Gabby openly discusses the challenges she faced, including a memorable game where she felt her team "bubbled under the pressure," leading to a tough loss during the nationals.
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Learning from Setbacks:
"I wouldn't change that moment. I would change like 50 other moments that happened before that because we definitely just cracked and kind of bubbled under the pressure."
(Timestamp: 36:02) -
Resilience and Improvement:
"Being able to show myself that I can be good in these high-pressure situations was something I needed."
(Timestamp: 37:10)
Looking Ahead: All-Star Game and Future Prospects
As the episode wraps up, Gabby expresses her excitement for her first All-Star game, indicating her readiness to showcase both her defensive and offensive skills.
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Anticipation for the All-Star Game:
"I'm testing out that logo, the four-point shot. I'm going to test it out and see if we're really hooping or what we're doing."
(Timestamp: 40:35) -
Future Goals:
"I'm locking up. I'm showing up in those shoes, and so everyone knows that I'm locking up."
(Timestamp: 40:55)
Notable Quotes
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Overcoming Injuries:
"The next day, I tore my freaking ACL. So something told me this is destiny."
(Timestamp: 12:36) -
Defensive Mindset:
"Defense is going to get me paychecks."
(Timestamp: 16:09) -
National Team Pride:
"Every game feels so heavy and so much pressure on it, which makes it more exciting."
(Timestamp: 34:54) -
All-Star Excitement:
"This is going to be worth it."
(Timestamp: 41:56)
Conclusion
Gabby Williams' journey from a decorated college athlete at UConn to a rising star in the WNBA serves as an inspiration to aspiring basketball players. Her focus on defense, adaptability on the court, and resilience in the face of challenges underscore her dedication to the sport. As she gears up for her first All-Star appearance, Gabby's story exemplifies the blend of talent, hard work, and mental fortitude required to excel at the highest levels of basketball.
For those interested in more insightful conversations about sports and culture, be sure to follow Club 520 Podcast on all major platforms and stay connected with the hosts on social media @club520podcast.