Gabby Williams seemingly will be returning to the Seattle Storm after the franchise cored her, though it remains to be seen what the team intends to do with the star this season

Gabby Williams, who averaged a career-high 10.3 points last season, was designated as the Storm's core player and will not become an unrestricted free agent.

Williams, widely considered one of the sport’s elite defenders, signed with the Storm mid-season after spending the first half of the season with the French national team, which culminated in an Olympic silver medal. In 12 games with the Storm, she averaged a career-high 10.3 points, as well as 4 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals per game.

The Seattle Storm extended a core qualifying offer to Gabby Williams, sources told ESPN's Kevin Pelton.The designation allows Williams to sign a one-year qualifying offer at the WNBA's highest salary ($249,

Gabby Williams will reportedly not become an unrestricted free agent, and the Storm will use their core designation on the sixth-year forward.

The Seattle Storm designated forward Gabby Williams as a core player on Tuesday, ensuring she will not become an unrestricted free agent this offseason.

Led by Clara Strack with 25 points and Georgia Amoore with 24 points, No. 12 Kentucky defeated Georgia 78-64. Strack made 9 of 19 shots and 6 of 7 free throws.

Mikaylah Williams scored 22 points, Aneesah Morrow had her 18th double-double of the season and No. 5 LSU stayed unbeaten with an 80-63 victory at Florida in front of Tigers great Shaquille O’Neal.

Arizona women's basketball coach Adia Barnes and Jada Williams connected through WNBA great Betty Lennox. Lennox was Barnes' teammate on Storm championship team and Williams' first coach/trainer in third grade.

Jackie Powell and Seerat Sohi discuss WNBA free agency and what each team might need heading into it next week.

Oct 16, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) shoots against the Minnesota Lynx during the second half of game three of the 2024 WNBA Finals at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Between coring stars and sending qualifying offers, WNBA teams are gearing up for February's free agency period with early negotiations.