UConn women’s basketball standout Gabby Williams is making her mark in the WNBA since returning full-time to the Seattle Storm. In a recent game against the Phoenix Mercury, Williams showcased her talents with a season-high 21 points, along with seven assists, three rebounds, and blocks, helping lead the Storm to an 89-77 victory. She and teammate Skylar Diggins-Smith became the first pair in franchise history to each score at least 20 points and grab seven rebounds in the same game. Williams also hit four three-pointers, boosting her career numbers significantly.
Drafted fourth overall in the 2018 WNBA Draft, Williams’ full participation in the league was previously limited by commitments with overseas clubs and the French national team. This season, she chose to remain with Seattle instead of competing in the FIBA Eurobasket tournament, contributing an impressive average of 15.2 points per game with 51.5% shooting from the field, along with 3.6 rebounds and 1.8 steals per game.
Another 2018 UConn draftee, forward Azura Stevens, is having a breakout year with the Los Angeles Sparks. She delivered her best performance yet in a recent win over the Dallas Wings, scoring 21 points, six rebounds, three assists, two steals, and three blocks. Stevens leads LA with a career-high 8.9 rebounds per game and is shooting over 40% from three-point range for the first time in eight seasons.
Minnesota Lynx star Napheesa Collier has extended her streak of double-doubles to five games. Collier continues to lead the team with high-scoring performances and strong rebounding, including a recent standout game of 28 points, four assists, three steals, and three blocks. She is among the league’s top scorers, averaging 25.5 points per game with excellent shooting percentages.
Meanwhile, two-time MVP Breanna Stewart is helping the New York Liberty dominate, despite playing fewer minutes than usual. Stewart recently recorded her first double-double of the season and helped the Liberty to an 8-0 start, the best in franchise history. Washington’s former Huskies standout Stephanie Dorson also had a strong showing, particularly against Connecticut.
Connecticut Sun’s Tina Charles put forth an impressive effort against her former team, the Atlanta Dream, scoring 19 points along with rebounds, assists, and steals. Bria Hartley has solidified her role as a key starter for the Sun, contributing consistently with points, rebounds, and assists. However, center Olivia Nelson-Doda is sidelined with an ankle injury but is expected to recover soon.
Other former Huskies are facing varied challenges this season. Dallas Wings’ rookie Paige Bueckers has missed several games due to concussion protocol but has recently returned to play. Tiffany Hayes of the Golden State Warriors is still recovering from a nose injury, Moriah Jefferson of Chicago Sky has yet to debut this season due to foot issues, while Kia Nurse and Kia Stokes have seen limited action.
After their first home win, the Connecticut Sun remain optimistic about turning their season around and improving their performance moving forward.
Fan Take: This roundup highlights the rising impact of former UConn stars in the WNBA, signaling the growing talent pool and competitiveness in the league. For WNBA fans, it underscores the exciting future of women’s basketball and how these athletes are shaping the sport’s evolution with their standout performances and resilience.
