Why Courtney Williams is a difference-maker for the Connecticut Sun.
The Connecticut Sun has been nothing short of dominant this season. Last night against the Washington Mystics, the Sun overcame a 30-point deficit to take the lead briefly, before ultimately losing 95-91.
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Though Connecticut gave up 65 first-half points, the team rallied 54 points in the second half, to end the game with only a four-point disadvantage under the direction of Courtney Williams. Williams scored a team-high (and career-record) 34 points. Despite the loss, Connecticut remains in the top spot in League standings with seven wins and only two losses.
The Sun bench is deep, matching a strong starting five. Three 2017 WNBA All-Stars return in Jasmine Thomas, Alyssa Thomas and Jonquel Jones. However, Williams seems to fly under the radar year by year. This year will be different; her production seems to have no limit.
The past two games have emphasized Williams’ importance. Against Minnesota, Head coach Curt Miller said following the game that Williams is the “big answer. kept us afloat when we didn’t have a lot going early…” Williams finished the June 9 matchup with a team-high 22 points.
On Wednesday, the starting guard created offensive opportunities for herself when her team needed her most. Coach Miller referenced Williams scoring “over a 6’4 post that switched onto” her. This is typical for Williams because of her athleticism. Centers seldom bother her because of her vertical leap. This is one case where a guard-post face-off is not necessarily a mismatch. Williams told High Post Hoops if she didn’t play basketball, she would probably participate in track and field. With her vertical, a high jump career is not farfetched.
Williams’ speed is also a known component of her game. She is not only a pesky defender, but thrives off transition. She can push the ball and go coast to coast. Her size, in combination with her speed, allows her often split the defense and drive past an otherwise clogged territory in the paint and score, too.
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— Connecticut Sun (@ConnecticutSun) June 14, 2018
Williams, now in her third season, is averaging 14.6 PPG, an increase from last season’s 12.3 PPG (wnba.com). She has complemented fellow guard Jasmine Thomas in scoring efficiency and is a main component in her team’s success. Williams’ scoring average is matched with 6.2 RPG.
High Post Hoops spoke with Williams following Connecticut’s victory against the Lynx. Get to know her: the league certainly does by now.