Courtney Monae Williams (born May 11, 1994) is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Lynx of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). Williams completed her high school basketball career at Charlton County High School. She signed with the University of South Florida and enrolled at the school in the fall of 2012.[1]
No. 10 – Minnesota Lynx | ||||||||||||||||||
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Position | Shooting guard | |||||||||||||||||
League | WNBA | |||||||||||||||||
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||
Born | Folkston, Georgia, U.S. | May 11, 1994|||||||||||||||||
Listed height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | |||||||||||||||||
Listed weight | 142 lb (64 kg) | |||||||||||||||||
Career information | ||||||||||||||||||
High school | Charlton County (Folkston, Georgia) | |||||||||||||||||
College | South Florida (2012–2016) | |||||||||||||||||
WNBA draft | 2016: 1st round, 8th overall pick | |||||||||||||||||
Selected by the Phoenix Mercury | ||||||||||||||||||
Playing career | 2016–present | |||||||||||||||||
Career history | ||||||||||||||||||
2016 | Phoenix Mercury | |||||||||||||||||
2016–2019 | Connecticut Sun | |||||||||||||||||
2017–2018 | Perth Lynx | |||||||||||||||||
2020–2021 | Atlanta Dream | |||||||||||||||||
2021 | Elitzur Ramla | |||||||||||||||||
2022 | Connecticut Sun | |||||||||||||||||
2023 | Chicago Sky | |||||||||||||||||
2023 | Shaanxi Red Wolves | |||||||||||||||||
2024–present | Minnesota Lynx | |||||||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | ||||||||||||||||||
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Medals
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High school career
editShe played basketball for the Indians at Charlton County High School. Her mother Michelle Williams (then Michelle Granger)[2] also played basketball for the same high school 22 years earlier. Michelle set the single-game scoring record when she scored 40 points. In her junior season, Williams took over the record by scoring 42 points in a game.[3] Williams credits her father, Donald Williams, with challenging her athletically too.[4] Her father advised her to develop her midrange because of her smaller size in high school. "My daddy told me to get a little middy so I wouldn’t get hurt,” [Williams] said with a laugh. “It kind of became my identity.”[5]
Collegiate career
editFreshman
editWilliams was a solid role player coming off the bench in her first season with the South Florida Bulls. she appeared in every game and started in 3. She averaged 7.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and .88 assists over 33 games.[1]
Sophomore
editIn William's sophomore year she averaged 30.4 minutes a game compared to her 15.3 coming off the bench the season before. She finished the year with 16.3 points a game along with 7.5 rebounds and 2.4 assists. She was named All-Conference First team and was an Honorable Mention for the All-American team.[1]
Junior
editShe was a starter in every game and averaged 20.3 points per game which led the AAC. Overall she was the ninth leading scorer in the country with 20 or more points in 20 different games. During one stretch of 10 game she scored over 20 points in each game which is the longest streak in the nation at the time.[1]
Senior
editIn her senior year Williams hit 308 field goals which was second in the nation among all Division I teams. She scored 763 points which was eighth best among all Division I players.[6]
Williams was inducted into the University of South Florida Athletic Hall of Fame in 2019 and her number 10 jersey is retired by the team.
South Florida statistics
editSource[6]
GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
Year | Team | GP | Points | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2012-13 | South Florida | 33 | 245 | 41.9 | 32.4 | 72.5 | 3.4 | 0.9 | 0.8 | 0.4 | 7.4 |
2013-14 | South Florida | 36 | 586 | 43.8 | 27.4 | 76.7 | 7.5 | 2.4 | 1.0 | 0.5 | 16.3 |
2014-15 | South Florida | 35 | 710 | 42.0 | 36.9 | 78.9 | 7.5 | 3.3 | 1.6 | 0.9 | 20.3° |
2015-16 | South Florida | 34 | 763 | 42.6 | 38.2 | 69.7 | 8.4 | 2.6 | 1.3 | 0.9 | 22.4° |
Career | South Florida | 138 | 2304 | 42.6 | 35.3 | 74.6 | 6.7 | 2.3 | 1.2 | 0.7 | 16.7 |
USA Basketball
editWilliams was selected as one of 12 players to play for the US at the 2015 World University games, held in Gwangju, South Korea in July 2015. The USA team opened with a win over Italy. In the second game against China, Williams was the leading scorer with 18 points. The USA team won the next two points to earn a berth in the semifinal against Japan. The USA team was down by 15 points, but came back to tie the game up and send the game into overtime. The teams matched scores in the first overtime and went into double overtime for the first time in World University Games history. With 10 seconds left in the second overtime, Japan cut the lead to two points but Williams hit two free throws to secure the victory. Williams recorded a double double, scoring 17 points and securing 10 rebounds. The gold-medal game was against Canada. The USA won the gold-medal 82–63 with Williams again contributing a double double, with 15 points and 10 rebounds.[7]
Professional career
editWNBA
editPhoenix Mercury
editWilliams was selected as the eighth overall pick by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2016 WNBA draft. She was surprised by the selection since she didn't have many pre draft discussions with the Mercury. Williams has identified Diana Taurasi as a player who “I look up to and who I compare my mentality to”, and now she will be playing on the same team as Taurasi.[8] After appearing in a handful of games for the Mercury, Williams was traded to the Connecticut Sun on June 26, 2016.[9]
Connecticut Sun (2016-2019)
editWilliams helped the Sun reach the WNBA Finals during the 2019 season, before they ultimately lost to the Washington Mystics. During the 2019 season, Williams was also honored by the league with a Player of the Week nod.[10]
Atlanta Dream (2020-2021)
editOn February 19, 2020, Williams was traded to the Atlanta Dream as part of a three-team trade.[11]
In October 2021, Williams (along with teammate Crystal Bradford) was released from her contract after a video of them circulated through various media outlets of their involvement in a fight outside of an Atlanta area food truck.[12]
Connecticut Sun (2022)
editThe Connecticut Sun re-signed Williams for the 2022 WNBA season.[13]
Chicago Sky
editOn February 4, 2023, the Chicago Sky announced the signing of Williams. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed, per team policy.[14]
Minnesota Lynx
editOn January 31, 2024, Williams signed a two-year guaranteed deal with the Minnesota Lynx. Williams ruptured a right thumb ligament in training camp and played through it until the Olympic break allowed enough healing time.[4] In the June 14, 2024, Lynx home game against the Sparks, Williams became only the 4th WNBA player to have 15+ points, 10+ assists, 8+ rebounds, and 4+ steals.[15] After the October 4, 2024, semifinals Lynx win over the Connecticut Sun, Cheryl Reeve said that Williams's "way with this team is exactly what was missing from our team last year. The toughness, the swag, the dog, and all of those things, the belief. But not just in her ability to score the ball, but also her ability to play make to make our team better."[16][17] Reeve has had Williams playing the point guard position, a new role for Williams that started with her play for the Chicago Sky.[5][18] Williams' trash talk was noted in the semifinals against the Sun, but she says her style is to remain light.[19] Williams is known for her midrange shooting; she leads the WNBA in midrange attempts with 6.9 per game, while shooting 46.2%.[5] In the October 8, 2024, game 5 semifinals Lynx win against the Connecticut Sun, Williams "had her most points in a playoff game since 2019" with 24 points; she also had seven assists, five rebounds, and two steals.[20]
Athletes Unlimited
editWilliams played for Athletes Unlimited in the 2022 season.[21]
International play
editOn August 10, 2017, Williams signed with the Perth Lynx for the 2017–18 WNBL season.[22] Williams was named to the WNBL Team of the Week on 14 November 2017, after a 26-point performance against the University of Canberra Capitals. The following week, Williams was named WNBL Player of the Week, after tallying 37 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists across a pair of victories. Williams was a key contributor in the Perth Lynx's historic 14 game winning streak, resulting in the team finishing the regular season on top of the ladder. Williams finished the WNBL regular season averaging 21.7 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 4.1 APG, 2.25 STPG and 0.9 BLKPG.[23]
WNBA career statistics
editGP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game | RPG | Rebounds per game |
APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game | BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game |
TO | Turnovers per game | FG% | Field-goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field-goal percentage | FT% | Free-throw percentage |
Bold | Career best | ° | League leader |
Regular season
editYear | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TO | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | Phoenix | 6 | 0 | 4.2 | .111 | .000 | .500 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.5 |
2016 | Connecticut | 19 | 0 | 17.2 | .427 | .308 | .579 | 3.6 | 1.5 | 0.6 | 0.2 | 1.0 | 8.1 |
2017 | Connecticut | 34 | 28 | 26.0 | .473 | .324 | .878 | 4.2 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 0.2 | 1.4 | 12.3 |
2018 | Connecticut | 30 | 29 | 27.1 | .456 | .377 | .680 | 5.9 | 3.0 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 1.8 | 12.6 |
2019 | Connecticut | 34 | 34 | 29.1 | .435 | .457 | .800 | 5.6 | 3.8 | 1.4 | 0.4 | 1.6 | 13.2 |
2020 | Atlanta | 20 | 14 | 30.8 | .436 | .235 | .696 | 7.2 | 3.2 | 0.7 | 0.1 | 2.7 | 14.6 |
2021 | Atlanta | 32 | 32 | 34.4 | .418 | .382 | .642 | 6.8 | 4.0 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 1.8 | 16.5 |
2022 | Connecticut | 34 | 34 | 27.9 | .426 | .338 | .750 | 4.6 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 1.7 | 11.1 |
2023 | Chicago | 40 | 40 | 30.1 | .437 | .443 | .600 | 6.0 | 6.3 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 2.5 | 10.4 |
2024 | Minnesota | 40 | 40 | 26.5 | .443 | .333 | .810 | 4.7 | 5.5 | 0.9 | 0.4 | 2.5 | 11.1 |
Career | 9 years, 5 teams | 289 | 251 | 27.5 | .438 | .369 | .736 | 5.3 | 3.8 | 0.9 | 0.3 | 1.9 | 12.0 |
Postseason
editYear | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | TO | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2017 | Connecticut | 1 | 1 | 31.0 | .455 | .000 | .000 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 3.0 | 10.0 |
2018 | Connecticut | 1 | 1 | 33.0 | .478 | .800 | .333 | 8.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 27.0 |
2019 | Connecticut | 8 | 8 | 34.4 | .428 | .414 | .813 | 5.8 | 4.4 | 0.9 | 0.1 | 1.8 | 17.9 |
2022 | Connecticut | 12 | 12 | 27.1 | .415 | .318 | .667 | 3.9 | 2.3 | 0.6 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 10.3 |
2023 | Chicago | 2 | 2 | 32.5 | .316 | .286 | .000 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 3.5° | 7.0 |
Career | 5 years, 2 teams | 24 | 24 | 30.4 | .420 | .391 | .720 | 5.1 | 3.2 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 1.8 | 13.2 |
Awards and honors
edit- 2014—AAC First team[24]
- 2014–15 added to watchlist for the Wooden Award, Dawn Staley award, the Naismith Trophy, and the Wade Trophy[24]
- 2015—AP All-America honorable mention[24]
- 2016—AAC First team (unanimous)[25][26]
- 2016—AAC Scholar-Athlete[25]
Personal
editWilliams is the daughter of Michele and Donald Williams, and has one sister, Doniece. Outside of playing basketball, she does day trading.[27]
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Courtney Williams Bio". GoUSFBulls.com. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ "Courtney Williams - WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA". WNBA.com - Official Site of the WNBA. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ "To star guard, mom knows best". The Oracle. March 11, 2015. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ a b Borzi, Pat (September 27, 2024). "The heart of the Minnesota Lynx, Courtney Williams". MinnPost. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
- ^ a b c "WNBA playoffs: Lynx eschew superteam model to build with undervalued assets". Yahoo Sports. October 4, 2024. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
- ^ a b "NCAA Statistics". web1.ncaa.org. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ "2015 World University Games". www.usab.com. Archived from the original on November 21, 2015. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ "USF's Courtney Williams goes No. 8 in WNBA draft to Phoenix". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on April 27, 2016. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ Knight, Joey (June 26, 2016). "Courtney Williams traded to Connecticut". Tampa Bay Times. Archived from the original on August 28, 2016. Retrieved August 27, 2016.
- ^ "Connecticut's Williams, Phoenix's Griner Win Players of the Week". wnba.com. WNBA. September 3, 2019. Retrieved September 3, 2019.
- ^ "Dream Acquire Courtney Williams In Three-Team Trade". WNBA. Retrieved February 19, 2020.
- ^ "WNBA Players Released From Team After Food Truck Fight". sis2sis.com. October 8, 2021. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
- ^ "Now's The Time: The Connecticut Sun are Hungrier Than Ever for a Title | WSLAM". SLAM. July 26, 2022. Retrieved July 28, 2022.
- ^ "Chicago Sky Sign Courtney Williams". Chicago Sky. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ Across the Timeline (June 14, 2024). "Williams the 4th WNBA player with stat line". X.com (formerly Twitter). Retrieved June 14, 2024.
- ^ Pickman, Ben. "Lynx cruise past Sun in Game 3, only 1 win away from reaching WNBA Finals: Takeaways". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
- ^ Minnesota Lynx (October 4, 2024). "So Much Belief." | Cheryl Reeve, Napheesa Collier & Courtney Williams Postgame Sound | 10.04.24. Retrieved October 5, 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Hoops Review". HoopMajor Media. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
- ^ Dalzell, Noa (October 4, 2024). "Courtney Williams might just be the best trash talker in the WNBA". SBNation.com. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
- ^ "Connecticut Sun vs. Minnesota Lynx - WNBA Game Summary - October 8, 2024 | WNBA". www.wnba.com. Retrieved October 9, 2024.
- ^ "Athletes Unlimited | Courtney Williams". Athletes Unlimited. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
- ^ "PERTH LYNX LAND WNBA STAR COURTNEY WILLIAMS". PerthLynx.com. August 10, 2017. Retrieved August 10, 2017.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Courtney Williams Stats - WNBL". WNBL. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
- ^ a b c "Courtney M. Williams". www.usab.com. Archived from the original on June 13, 2015. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ a b Courant, Hartford (March 4, 2016). "UConn Women Dominate AAC Awards List". courant.com. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ "2016 American Athletic Conference Women's Basketball Regular Season Awards Announced". theamerican.org. March 3, 2016. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ Minnesota Lynx (September 6, 2024). Episode 11: Courtney Williams | Lynx Unleashed. Retrieved October 6, 2024 – via YouTube.
External links
edit- Career statistics and player information from WNBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com
- Courtney Williams at Athletes Unlimited
- Courtney Williams on Instagram
- Media related to Courtney Williams at Wikimedia Commons