Gabby Williams (Photos via TRTSPOR)
Gabby Williams had to be rushed off the court during Wednesday’s FIBA Supercup between Fenerbahce and Besiktas.
The guard rejoined the Seattle Storm after starring for France at the Olympic Games but, like several other WNBA stars, is playing overseas now that most teams are no longer in action following the start of the playoffs.
Williams’ team, Fenerbahce, has a longstanding rivalry with Besiktas, so things can get rowdy whenever they meet.
It didn’t take long for some fans to start behaving unruly. Fireworks were thrown onto the court, forcing officials to stop the game after just two minutes.
Williams was making her debut for the Turkish team but had to rush to the locker room along with all of the other players after fireworks went off near a pair of spooked referees.
Gabby Williams Caused A Stir With Recent Comments
Williams recently made the news for calling WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert out as she revealed her decision to go play abroad. She pointed out that foreign leagues pay players much better while suggesting that Engelbert was lying when she said WNBA pros could make up to $700,000 a year.
“That’s actually not true at all,” she said. “there’s not one player who makes that.”
“We were promised team marketing agreements and league marketing agreements, but they’ve fallen quite short.
“So it’s still not enough for us international players to want to stay here. And that’s a choice of the players. If I make a choice to make more money, whatever, and then teams are mad that I don’t come back, but that’s how it is.”
Meanwhile, Williams’ Storm teammate Nika Muhl, who joined Besiktas this offseason, sustained a nasty knee injury and may be out for an extended period, further highlighting Gabby’s point.
