Gabby beats Wemby to French Player of the Year Award

PARIS (France) - The profile and prestige of the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 has been further underlined after Gabby Williams was handed the coveted Alain-Gilles Trophy.

The annual accolade is given to the French Basketball Player of the Year, with votes taken from French Basketball Federation (FFBB) members, former men's and women's French senior national team players, as well as members of the French sports media and the public.

In the closest-ever and most exciting battle for the award, the jury confirmed that Williams had edged out San Antonio Spurs standout Victor Wembanyama, an NBA finalist and Defensive Player of the Year, by just nine points. She also claimed the prestigious honor ahead of Evan Fournier, who lifted two trophies with Olympiacos and was named Finals MVP twice.

Williams was sensational in propelling her country to their first ever FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup Final, as well as being crowned a EuroLeague Women champion with Fenerbahce and excelling in the WNBA with Golden State Valkyries.

The forward and captain of the French national team succeeds her teammate Valeriane Ayayi, who won last year, with Williams taking the trophy in 2024.

It means the award has been handed to a woman for a third consecutive edition to further highlight the growing impact and influence of women's global hoops.

Williams also beat Wembanyama in the race to land the award for a second time. In doing so, she becomes only the second two-time winner since inception, matching the feat of Nando De Colo who won the first two editions.

Williams was particularly impactful in Berlin where she was named to the FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup 2026 All-Star Five lineup. She also won the Best Defensive Player award.

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