The WNBA never forgets. And Gabby Williams certainly doesn’t either. When old tweets surfaced between UConn’s iconic coach, Geno Auriemma, and WNBA star Arike Ogunbowale, it was only a matter of time before Williams chimed in with her own brand of nostalgia and snark. This Twitter trip down memory lane has WNBA fans clutching their sides, courtesy of Williams’ signature sarcasm.
It all started with a fan’s post on X (formerly known as Twitter), digging up an infamous 2014 exchange between Auriemma and Ogunbowale. In the original tweets, Ogunbowale, then a high school star, casually listed her top five college choices—none of which were UConn. Auriemma, master of sarcasm himself, responded with his own list of “top five players I have zero interest in recruiting.” Cue the laughter.
Ogunbowale, now a guard for the Seattle Storm, reposted the fan’s post with a string of laughing emojis, as if to say, “Still funny, Coach.” Not missing a beat, Gabby Williams (also of the Storm and a former UConn star) decided to join in on the fun. In the comments, she cheekily declared, “And this was the moment they made coach delete his Twitter😭.” It’s a little spicy, a lot hilarious, and pure Gabby.
Fans remember that Auriemma had the last laugh back in 2014, as Ogunbowale ended up committing to Notre Dame, one of UConn’s biggest rivals. She went on to be drafted 5th overall in the 2019 WNBA Draft, solidifying her as a premier talent. Still, some Huskies fans joke that Ogunbowale was “the one that got away”—and judging by her Twitter antics, it’s clear Ogunbowale hasn’t forgotten, either.
A Moment of Irony: Williams Calls Out WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert
If you thought Williams stopped at a playful Twitter jab, think again. The Seattle Storm forward turned her attention to WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert at a press conference just last month. When Engelbert touted the “potential” for players to make $700,000 a year, Williams decided to address what she saw as a sizable gap between talk and reality.
“Our commissioner talked about us being able to, you know, make $700,000. That’s actually not true at all. There’s not one player who makes that,” Williams said, holding nothing back. She further explained how the WNBA’s financial incentives simply aren’t enough to keep international players like herself coming back year after year.
“If I make a choice to make more money elsewhere, and then teams are mad that I don’t come back—well, that’s how it is,” she added, driving home the reality of finances in women’s basketball. “WNBA, if you want us to be here, you know, you have to pay us more. It’s business; it’s how it works.”
As one of the Storm’s most consistent contributors last season, Williams averaged 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, playing a pivotal role in helping the team reach the playoffs. It’s clear that whether on Twitter or in the press, Williams isn’t afraid to speak her mind—or make her fans laugh in the process.
In a league full of star power and increasingly vocal players, Williams continues to stand out not only for her performance on the court but for her candid takes off it. Whether it’s reminiscing about a coach’s snarky tweet or calling out the league commissioner, Williams always brings her unique twist. And for WNBA fans, that’s exactly the type of personality the league needs.
