High Post Hoops
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Sparks re-sign Riquna Williams despite ongoing legal problems

By Sabreena Merchant

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 23: guard Riquna Williams #2 of the Los Angeles Sparks drives to the basket during the game against the Washington Mystics in Round Two of the 2018 WNBA Playoffs on August 23, 2018 at George Washington University in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 23: guard Riquna Williams #2 of the Los Angeles Sparks drives to the basket during the game against the Washington Mystics in Round Two of the 2018 WNBA Playoffs on August 23, 2018 at George Washington University in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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A legal imbroglio for the newest L.A. guard.

The Los Angeles Sparks shored up their depleted backcourt by re-signing Riquna Williams Wednesday, even amid an ongoing set of criminal charges against her.

Williams played 33 games for Los Angeles last season, averaging 16.5 minutes per game. She only started three regular-season contests, but got the nod in both playoff games for the Sparks.

Williams was a high-volume three-point shooter (63.6 3-point attempt rate) for Los Angeles last season, converting 37.5 percent of her attempts. She provides some needed perimeter depth and spacing for a team that lost both Odyssey Sims and Essence Carson this offseason.

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The signing of Williams comes just weeks after Williams was arrested, on April 29, for allegedly assaulting her former partner back in December. She was booked for burglary with assault or battery and aggravated assault with a weapon without intent to kill.

According to the arrest report, multiple witnesses told police that Williams struck the victim, Alkeria Davis, “multiple times in the head” after forcing her way into a Pahokee, FL house, later threatening one of the witnesses, Antonio Wilson, with a gun prior to driving off.

At the time, Williams was an unsigned free agent. The WNBA issued a statement back in April saying the league was aware of the situation and was gathering more information. The league confirmed to High Post Hoops that their investigation is ongoing.

Williams was released on April 30, after paying $20,000 bond. She was scheduled to appear in court for an arraignment on May 13, but waived the arraignment while pleading not guilty earlier this month. She is now scheduled to appear in court on June 6, a spokesperson with the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s office confirmed to High Post Hoops. The Sparks play in Connecticut against the Sun that day.

Los Angeles held its media day on Tuesday. Williams was not in attendance, and the signing was  announced on Wednesday.

High Post Hoops reached out to the Sparks regarding Williams’ legal situation, and received a statement via email attributable to the organization: “The Los Angeles Sparks are aware of the allegations surrounding guard Riquna Williams. We’re monitoring the situation and will have no comment until the legal process is completed.”

Back in 2015, the WNBA suspended both Brittney Griner and Glory Johnson for seven games after the two were involved in a domestic violence incident between them. At the time, then-president Laurel Richie said that “The WNBA takes all acts of violence extremely seriously. It is our strong belief that violence has absolutely no place in society, in sports or in this league. As president, it is my responsibility to protect the league and uphold its values. Our athletes represent the WNBA, and they all must abide by the league’s standards of conduct. In this case, Brittney and Glory failed to do so, and that is unacceptable.”

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