Kiana Williams, Stanford
Kiana Williams playing well pushes this Stanford team to new heights, that of a true national championship contender.
The Cardinal constants — forcing you to make shots over them out of your halfcourt offense, moving the ball from side to side, putting pressure on all five defenders with their Princeton-style actions — can’t replicate Williams’ deep range and dynamic handle.
She ignites Stanford’s transition game, seen in their blowout victory over Oregon State earlier this season as she pulled up for two 3-pointers in transition. Her clutch 3-pointer in the Pac-12 championship against Oregon allowed the Cardinal to separate late in the fourth quarter.
Disciplined opponents can take away the back cuts, and every NCAA Tournament will do all they can to get Alanna Smith into foul trouble. Williams makes the Cardinal all the more unpredictable and has proven to be capable of shouldering the load along with Smith and DiJonai Carrington. — Ben Dull