All-Star Williams joins the Valkyries on a multiyear deal

All-Star Gabby Williams signed a multiyear deal with Golden State, the Valkyries announced Sunday, while Alyssa Thomas is headed back to Phoenix. Williams averaged a career-high 11.6 points and 4.2 assists and led the WNBA in steals with 2.3 per game for Seattle last season. That effort earned the 29-year-old an All-Star appearance for the first time in her career. She also was a member of the league's All-Defensive First Team. "For a player of Gabby's caliber to choose us in just our second year ... means everything," Valkyries general manager Ohemaa Nyanin said in a statement. "She is world-class. One of the best defenders in the world, a WNBA All-Star, and someone who makes everyone around her better." The Valkyries had a stellar season in their first year, making the playoffs — the first time an expansion team had done that. Williams was drafted fourth by Chicago in 2018 and traded to Los Angeles in 2021. She didn't play any games for the Sparks before being traded to Seattle in 2022. Thomas was a finalist for MVP last season and All-WNBA and All-Defensive first team. She helped the Mercury reach the WNBA Finals. "Alyssa is a generational player, natural leader and one of the fiercest competitors our sport has seen, and we're excited to have her back in Phoenix," Mercury general manager Nick U'Ren said. "Her ability to control the game on both ends and elevate her teammates helped fuel our run to the Finals last season." Phoenix also re-signed All-Star wings Kahleah Copper and DeWanna Bonner. The pair was instrumental in getting the Mercury to the WNBA Finals along with Thomas. The team also re-signed veteran guard Sami Whitcomb. Other moves on Sunday included Sophie Cunningham and Damiris Dantas re-signing with the Indiana Fever. Cunningham averaged 8.6 points and 3.5 rebounds in 30 games before suffering a season-ending MCL tear in her right knee in August. Dantas originally signed with the Fever ahead of the 2024 season and has since played in 58 games for Indiana, averaging 4.6 points and 2.3 rebounds per game, and was a part of the 2025 Commissioner's Cup championship team. The pair join Kelsey Mitchell and Lexie Hull, who announced on Saturday they were returning to the team. Indiana also added Monique Billings in the first day of free agency. The Toronto Tempo added forward Isabelle Harrison, whom Sandy Brondello coached in New York before making the move to Canada. Minnesota Lynx The Lynx re-signed five-time All-Star Kayla McBride to a two-year deal at a lower max salary, her agent, Ticha Penicheiro, told The Associated Press. Courtney Williams, a two-time All-Star, also is coming back to the Lynx. Minnesota also added two-time All-Star Natasha Howard, who played with Indiana last season. Howard helped Minnesota win a title in 2017. Chicago Sky The Sky added guard DiJonai Carrington to their roster as well as officially re-signing Courtney Vandersloot. The Sky acquired Rickea Jackson for Ariel Atkins in a trade with Los Angeles. Connecticut Sun The Sun added guard Kennedy Burke and re-signed forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa to a two-year deal. Burke appeared in 36 games for the Liberty, making nine starts and averaging 8.1 points and 2.4 rebounds. Seattle Storm The Storm re-signed forward Ezi Magbegor, who had 96 blocks last season to go along with 8.0 points and 6.2 rebounds. She shot 49.3% from the field. Seattle also re-signed wing Katie Lou Samuelson, who missed all of last season after tearing her ACL in training camp. The Storm also added free agent Stefanie Dolson, signing the veteran center as well as guard Jade Melbourne. Las Vegas Aces The Aces re-signed three members of their core group, with Chelsea Gray, Jackie Young and Cheyenne Parker-Tyus all agreeing to deals with the defending champions. Washington Mystics The Mystics added forward Michaela Onyenwere to a multiyear deal. She averaged 6.9 points and 2.4 rebounds in her career, last playing with Chicago. Onyenwere was an assistant coach at her alma mater UCLA this past winter and helped the Bruins win their first national championship. Portland Fire The expansion Fire added center Megan Gustafson, who was with Las Vegas last season when the Aces won the WNBA championship. ___ AP WNBA: https://apnews.com/hub/wnba-basketball