Former UConn standout Gabby Williams made headlines after strongly backing her alma mater as the top program in women’s college basketball. While acknowledging the impressive rise of Dawn Staley’s South Carolina team, Williams made it clear she believes no school can match UConn’s legacy.
Speaking on the Club 520 podcast with Jeff Teague and others, Williams opened up about the immense pressure of playing at UConn. “I knew UConn was the best with all the titles, but you don’t fully get it until you’re there,” she said, before being cut off by the hosts.
The podcast crew challenged her stance, pointing to powerhouse programs like Tennessee and South Carolina. But Williams didn’t budge. “No disrespect, but I disagree,” she replied. “Shout out to Tennessee and South Carolina, they’re cute.”
Still, Williams expressed real admiration for what Coach Dawn Staley has built in Columbia. “Huge respect for what Dawn’s doing. She’s building a dynasty, no doubt,” she said. Yet, Williams insisted UConn remains in a league of its own. “UConn is the dynasty,” she said. “The pressure there is unreal. Everyone wants the rings, but that environment is next level. You really have to ask yourself, ‘Am I built for this?’”
UConn vs. South Carolina: A Growing Rivalry
The rivalry between UConn and South Carolina has grown more intense over the years. South Carolina beat UConn 64–49 to win the 2022 national title, but UConn got revenge in 2025 with an 82–59 blowout victory to claim their 12th NCAA championship. Earlier that season, UConn also snapped South Carolina’s 71-game home win streak with a commanding 87–58 win in Columbia.
Williams, who played at UConn from 2014–2018, knows the program’s elite culture firsthand. She helped the Huskies to a staggering 148–3 record and two national championships. Now with the WNBA’s Seattle Storm, she remains a vocal supporter of the UConn standard.
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