Christyn Williams
{{Short description|American basketball player}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Christyn Williams
| image = Christen_Williams.jpg
| caption =
| width =
| number =
| team =
| league = WNBA
| position = Shooting guard
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 11
| weight_lb = 166
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|5|20}}
| birth_place = Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.
| high_school = Central Arkansas Christian
(North Little Rock, Arkansas)
| college = UConn (2018–2022)
| draft_league = WNBA
| draft_year = 2022
| draft_round = 2
| draft_pick = 14
| draft_team = Washington Mystics
| career_start =
| years1 =
| team1 =
| highlights = * Ann Meyers Drysdale Award (2022)
- Big East tournament MOP (2022)
- 2× First-team All-Big East (2021, 2022)
- First-team All-AAC (2020)
- AAC Freshman of the Year (2019)
- AAC All-Freshman team (2019)
- WBCA National Player of the Year award (2018)
- Gatorade National Player of the Year (2018)
- Morgan Wootten National Player of the Year (2018)
- Naismith Prep Player of the Year (2018)
- USA Today Player of the Year (2018)
- McDonald's All-American Game MVP (2018)
- MaxPreps National Player of the Year (2018)
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport | Women's basketball}}
{{MedalCountry|{{USA}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|FIBA Under-18 Americas Championship}}
{{MedalGold|2018 Mexico|Team}}
{{MedalCompetition|FIBA Under-19 World Cup}}
{{MedalSilver|2017 Italy|Team}}
{{MedalCompetition|FIBA Under-17 World Cup}}
{{MedalBronze|2016 Spain|Team}}
{{MedalSport|Women's 3x3 basketball}}
{{MedalCountry|the {{bkw|USA}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|Pan American Games}}
{{MedalGold|2019 Lima | National 3x3 team}}
{{Medal|Competition|FIBA 3x3 Under-18 World Cup}}
{{Medal|Gold|2017 China|Team}}
}}
Christyn Williams (born May 20, 2000) is an American women's basketball player who is a free agent. She was drafted by the Washington Mystics. She played college basketball at the University of Connecticut (UConn). She played in high school for Central Arkansas Christian School in North Little Rock, Arkansas. A five-star recruit and one of the most decorated high school basketball players in history,{{Cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/espnw/sports/article/21355082/no-1-prospect-christyn-williams-signs-connecticut-huskies|title=No. 1 prospect Christyn Williams signs with Connecticut Huskies|work=espnW|access-date=2018-04-10}} Williams rose to national acclaim after winning the 2018 WBCA National Player of the Year award,{{Cite web|url=https://playeroftheyear.gatorade.com/winner/christyn-williams/36469|title=Christyn Williams 2017 - 2018 GATORADE NATIONAL GIRLS BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR|website=playeroftheyear.gatorade.com|access-date=2018-04-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004062454/https://playeroftheyear.gatorade.com/winner/christyn-williams/36469|archive-date=2018-10-04|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://wbca.org/http%3A//wbca.org/recognize/player-awards/wbca-player-year/past-winners|title=Past WBCA Players of the Year|date=2016-05-31|website=Women's Basketball Coaches Association|language=en|access-date=2020-03-12}} the 2018 Naismith National Player of the Year award{{Cite web|url=http://naismithtrophy.com/r-j-barrett-and-christyn-williams-named-2018-naismith-high-school-players-of-the-year/|title=R.J. Barrett and Christyn Williams Named 2018 Naismith High School Players of the Year {{!}} Citizen Naismith Trophy|website=naismithtrophy.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-04-10}} the 2018 Gatorade National Player of the Year award, and the 2018 USA Today Player of the Year award.{{Cite news|url=http://usatodayhss.com/2018/all-usa-girls-basketball-player-of-the-year-christyn-williams-central-arkansas-christian|title=ALL-USA Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Christyn Williams, Central Arkansas Christian|date=2018-04-10|work=USA TODAY High School Sports|access-date=2018-04-10|language=en-US}} Williams also was named a McDonald's All-American,{{Cite news|url=http://www.pulaskinews.net/sports/20180403/uconn-believe-she8217s-best-cac8217s-williams-mvp-of-mcdonalds-all-american-games|title=UConn believe she's the best: CAC's Williams MVP of McDonalds All-American games|last=Stephens|first=Donna Lampkin|work=Pulaski News|access-date=2018-04-10|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411111450/http://www.pulaskinews.net/sports/20180403/uconn-believe-she8217s-best-cac8217s-williams-mvp-of-mcdonalds-all-american-games|archive-date=2018-04-11|url-status=dead}} where she was named the game's MVP after scoring 22 points and leading the West team to an 82-79 victory. Williams was awarded the Morgan Wootten Award, which is given each year to "the McDonald's All American who best exhibits outstanding character, leadership and the values of a student-athlete in the classroom and the community".{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/sports/article/22745684/connecticut-huskies-recruit-christyn-williams-named-2018-morgan-wootten-player-year|title=Christyn Williams wins Morgan Wootten|date=2018-03-13|website=ESPN.com|language=en|access-date=2020-03-12}} Williams was also named to the 2018 Jordan Brand Classic team.{{cite web|url=https://jordanbrandclassic.com/team/2018-girls-national-team/#5557|title=2018 Girls National Team - Teams Category - Jordan Brand Classic|publisher=}}
High school career
As a freshman in the 2014-15 season, Williams averaged 18.5 points a game for the Lady Mustangs while helping lead the team to a 28-4 record and an appearance in the state quarterfinals. The next season as a sophomore Williams carried a heavy load for the team, averaging a career-best 28.5 points per game and leading the team to a runner-up finish in the Arkansas 4A state tournament. In 2016-17, Williams' junior season, she averaged 26.0 points per game and led the team to a 29-5 record. The Lady Mustangs finished the season with a loss in the state quarterfinals. As a senior in 2017-18, Williams and the Lady Mustangs had the best season in school history, finishing with a 36-1 record and winning the 2-4A Conference, 2-4A District, 4A East Region, and 4A State Championships while averaging 26.8 points and 10.4 rebounds per game.{{Cite web|url=https://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/central-arkansas-christian-mustangs-(north-little-rock,ar)/girls-basketball-winter-17-18/stats.htm|title = Stats - Central Arkansas Christian Mustangs (North Little Rock, AR) Girls Varsity Basketball 17-18}} Finishing with 3500 points, Williams ended her career with the second-most points in Arkansas girls basketball history, behind only Lakyn Garrison of Wickes, who played from 2003-2007.{{cite web |url=https://docs.google.com/document/d/17myFi8kFnYu8CWXQpkuALMIox-1rPwYkMfXY5n9VfmY/edit |title=Arkansas Activities Association Record Book |page=15 |publisher=Arkansas Activities Association |accessdate=May 3, 2022}} Over the course of her career, she led the Lady Mustangs to a 117-24 record, including the Arkansas 4A 2018 state championship.
College career
Williams made her debut for the University of Connecticut in the season opener against Ohio State on November 11, 2018. She started the game and ended with 7 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals in the 85-53 win.{{cite web|url=http://uconnhuskies.com/boxscore.aspx?id=16041&path=wbball|title=Women's Basketball vs Ohio State on 11/11/2018 - Box Score|website=University of Connecticut Athletics}} Three weeks later Williams played a large part in the #2-ranked Huskies upsetting the #1-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish in South Bend, 89-71. Williams finished the game with a career-high 28 points.{{cite web|url=https://www.google.com/search?q=uconn+women#sie=m;/g/11gr2rn9sp;3;/g/11dxbvlspv;dt;fp;1;;|title=uconn women - Google Search|website=www.google.com}} Williams started all 38 games during her freshman campaign and ended the season averaging 11.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.2 steals per game.{{Cite web|url=https://uconnhuskies.com/documents/2018/11/13/SeasonReport_2018_11_13_111602.pdf|title = 1819 Season Stats}} The Huskies fell to Notre Dame in the 2019 Final Four, 81-76.
In her sophomore season, which was cut short by the 2019 COVID-19 pandemic, Williams started 31 of the Huskies' 32 games and averaged 14.6 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.3 steals per game for the 29-3 Huskies.{{Cite web|url=https://uconnhuskies.com/sports/womens-basketball/stats/2019-20|title=2019-20 Women's Basketball Cumulative Statistics|website=University of Connecticut Athletics}}
In October 2020, Williams was named the Big East Preseason Player of the Year before her junior season began.{{cite news |url=https://www.rep-am.com/top-stories/2020/10/29/uconn-dominates-big-east-womens-preseason-honors/ |title=UConn dominates Big East women's preseason honors |work=Rep-Am.com |date=October 29, 2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203020905/https://www.rep-am.com/top-stories/2020/10/29/uconn-dominates-big-east-womens-preseason-honors/ |archive-date=December 3, 2020}}
In the 2020-21 season, Williams played a large role in the Huskies going 28-2, 18-0 during her junior season, with their only losses coming on the road at Arkansas, and in the Final Four vs Arizona. Williams finished the season averaging 16.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1 steal per game.
In 2021-22, Williams’ senior season, UConn went 30-6, 16-1, and made it back to the national championship game for the first time since 2016, before coming up short against South Carolina in Minneapolis. She averaged 14.2 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.5 steals per game for the Huskies.
On April 1, 2022, Williams was presented with the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award, which annually recognizes the nation’s top shooting guard. Williams was the first Husky to win the honor.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ctinsider.com/uconn/article/UConn-women-s-basketball-guard-Christyn-17052438.php|title = UConn women's basketball guard Christyn Williams first Husky to win Ann Meyers Drysdale Award|date = 2 April 2022}}
On April 6, 2022, Williams announced that she would be entering the 2022 WNBA Draft.{{Cite web|url=https://www.courant.com/sports/uconn-womens-basketball/hc-sp-uconn-women-enter-wnba-draft-20220406-pfkwa6uaffas3hy4i353iek44a-story.html|title = UConn women's Christyn Williams, Evina Westbrook and Olivia Nelson-Ododa officially declare for 2022 WNBA draft| date=7 April 2022 }}
WNBA career
On April 11, 2022, Williams was drafted by the Washington Mystics in the second round with the 14th overall pick.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bulletsforever.com/2022/4/11/23021237/2022-wnba-draft-washington-mystics-14th-overall-pick|title=Mystics select Christyn Williams with the 14th overall pick|date=11 April 2022}} However, it was reported that Williams got hurt during practice and would have to undergo surgery for her knee injury.{{cite web | url=https://www.cbssports.com/wnba/news/mystics-rookie-christyn-williams-suffers-season-ending-knee-injury-during-practice/ | title=Mystics rookie Christyn Williams suffers season-ending knee injury during practice | date=20 April 2022 }} Thus, she was unable to play during the 2022 season.{{Cite news |date=2022-04-21 |title=Mystics rookie Christyn Williams lost to season-ending knee injury |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/mystics-rookie-christyn-williams-lost-season-ending-knee-injury-2022-04-21/ |access-date=2022-04-21}}
On September 7, 2023 Williams signed a rest-of-the-season hardship contract with the Phoenix Mercury.{{Cite web | url=https://www.ctinsider.com/sports/uconn-womens-basketball/article/christyn-williams-wnba-phoenix-mercury-18353677.php | title=Ex-UConn standout Christyn Williams signs with Phoenix Mercury | website=www.ctinsider.com | url-access=registration}} Williams did not appear in either of the final two games of the season. On 11 May 2024, Williams was waived by the Phoenix Mercury.{{Cite web |title=WNBA Player Movement & Transactions {{!}} WNBA |url=https://www.wnba.com/players/transactions |access-date=2024-05-12 |website=www.wnba.com}}
On February 26, 2025, Williams signed a training camp contract with the Minnesota Lynx.{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Sierra |title=Christyn Williams Secures Training Camp Contract with Minnesota Lynx |url=https://auprosports.com/read/christyn-williams-secures-training-camp-contract-with-minnesota-lynx/ |website=Athletes Unlimited |access-date=27 February 2025 |date=February 26, 2025}}
Career statistics
{{WNBA player statistics legend}}
=College=
{{WNBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19
| style="text-align:left;"| UConn
|38||38||32.1||49.9||36.7||74.0||3.2||2.3||1.2||0.2||1.4||11.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20
| style="text-align:left;"| UConn
|32||31||35.6||45.7||33.3||74.4||4.9||2.3||1.3||0.2||1.7||14.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2020–21
| style="text-align:left;"| UConn
|29||29||34.4||47.9||34.3||69.0||4.3||2.2||0.9||0.5||1.8||16.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2021–22
| style="text-align:left;"| UConn
|33||33||33.8||45.4||33.8||68.5||3.4||2.3||1.5||0.4||1.7||14.2
|- class="sortbottom"
|style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
|132||131||33.9||47.1||34.5||71.6||3.9||2.3||1.2||0.3||1.6||14.0
|- class="sortbottom"
|style="text-align:center;" colspan="14"|Statistics retrieved from Sports-Reference.{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/christyn-williams-1.html|title=Christyn Williams College Stats|publisher=Sports-Reference|accessdate=April 16, 2024}}
{{S-end}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{FIBA 3x3 profile|e21f9f32-af07-447a-a00c-4775a55f12b8|Christyn Lynn Williams}}
{{McDonald's All-American Game Girls MVP}}
{{Gatorade National Basketball Player of the Year}}
{{Morgan Wootten Player of the Year}}
{{MaxPreps National Basketball Player of the Year}}
{{Ann Meyers Drysdale Award}}
{{2022 WNBA draft}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Christyn}}
Category:American women's basketball players
Category:Basketball players at the 2019 Pan American Games
Category:McDonald's High School All-Americans
Category:Medalists at the 2019 Pan American Games
Category:Pan American Games 3x3 basketball players
Category:Pan American Games gold medalists for the United States in basketball
Category:Basketball players from Little Rock, Arkansas
Category:UConn Huskies women's basketball players