The Seattle Storm have designated Gabby Williams as their core player, meaning she will not become an unrestricted free agent, sources told ESPN on Tuesday. Teams have until Jan. 20 -- the day before players and teams can begin negotiating -- to extend core designations to eligible players.

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 Storm's decision to core Gabby Williams came as a surprise to many Tuesday. Williams can now sign a one-year contract at the league maximum of $294,244 but is not able to sign with another team as a free agent.