Courtney Williams is a native of Folkston, Georgia, who’s known for her vibrant personality and intense play on the basketball court. Raised in a family passionate about sports, Courtney’s father, Donald Williams, was extremely instrumental in fostering her interest in basketball. This competitive spirit that was developed early in her adolescence helped drive her to excel in high school basketball and ultimately earn a scholarship to the University of South Florida.
At USF, Williams quickly became a standout player. She displayed her ability to score from all over the court coupled with a strong work ethic that led her to rank among the best in the American Athletic Conference. By her senior year in 2016, Williams was averaging an impressive 22.4 points, 8.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. Her offensive prowess earned her multiple honors, including All-AAC First Team selections and an AP All-America Honorable Mention. Williams finished her college career with 2,304 points, positioning herself as one of USF’s top all-time scorers and setting the stage for an exceptional professional career.
In the 2016 WNBA Draft, Williams was selected eighth overall by the Phoenix Mercury but was quickly traded to the Connecticut Sun, where her WNBA journey truly began. She thrived with the Sun, showcasing her elite scoring and rebounding skills as a guard. In 2019, she averaged 13.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.8 assists per game which was key in helping the Sun reach the WNBA Finals. Williams would later join the Atlanta Dream in 2021, where she continued her standout performances, averaging 16.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game. These efforts led to her first WNBA All-Star selection in 2021 which was huge in her career, because she was starting to get real recognition as a top player in the league. As a member of the Minnesota Lynx for the 2024 season, she averaged 11.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game. These stats just exemplify how serviceable she is in all facets of the game. Williams can facilitate, guard, rebound and score, which makes her a swiss army knife of a talent.
She’s always a noticeable presence on the court due to her fierce energy and heightened competitiveness that she brings, but her mid-range shooting highlighted by her quick first step is what sets her apart from the average player. She even possesses a sense of fearlessness when driving to the basket. Williams’ passion and high motor only increases her level of skill because she’s always giving it her all on any possession. This will be incredibly vital to any team because she not only can score but she’s so good on the glass to where she can create extra possessions for her team within the Unrivaled league.
