Gabby Williams, Ezi Magbegor Earn WNBA All-Defensive Team Honors
Seattle Storm wing Gabby Williams earned the first All-Defensive First Team honor of her career, while center Ezi Magbegor was named to her third Second Team. Credit: John Mac
Seattle Storm wing Gabby Williams and center Ezi Magbegor were each named to the 2025 WNBA All-Defensive teams, the league announced on Wednesday.
Williams, who led the league in steals by a country mile with 2.3 per game, captured the first All-Defensive First Team nod of her career. Her 99 total steals were the second-most in a single season in league history. Williams was an All-Defensive Second Team member in 2022 when she averaged 1.5 steals per game.
Though she was a consistent, often game-wrecking defensive presence, Williams’ offensive contributions varied — especially late in the campaign. Williams scored more than 10 points just three times in the Storm’s final nine regular-season games, and she was held under double figures in two of their three playoff games.
The seven-year veteran is clearly one of the most talented players on the court, but hasn’t consistently found that side of her game yet in the WNBA.
Magbegor dropped to the All-Defensive Second Team this season after landing on the First Team in 2024. She averaged the same number of blocks (2.2) in both seasons and was second in the league in that area this year. Only Las Vegas Aces superstar A’ja Wilson averaged more denials (2.3).
Despite the block numbers, Magbegor did see her steal numbers fall to below one per game (0.7) for the first time since 2022. This year’s Second Team nod is her third such award.
Magbegor was a consistently intimidating rim protector for the Storm, even though they finished 12th in the league in opponent points in the paint (38.2). She regularly had to rotate out of the paint due to the switch-heavy defense former head coach Noelle Quinn ran, potentially limiting Magbegor’s numbers despite them remaining impressive.
The defense was a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season for the sixth-year center, who averaged her fewest points (8.0) and rebounds (6.2) since 2021 and 2022, respectively.
Both Williams and Magbegor are unrestricted free agents heading into the offseason, as is much of the league. There’s a chance neither returns to Seattle in 2026 as the team looks to build around rookie No. 2 overall pick Dominique Malonga.
