TAMPA, JAN. 18, 2016 – Courtney Williams stellar season continued last week as the Georgia native led the Bulls to a 2-0 week in the American Athletic Conference, earning her The American Player of the Week honors. Williams, a Wooden Trophy Midseason Top-20 candidate, turned in her third 30-plus point performance this season and back-to-back double-double outings.
Williams receives the Player of the Week recognition for the second time this season, but has also landed on the Weekly Honor Roll four times. Williams joins Breanna Stewart (UConn) as the only athlete to receive Player of the Week honors multiple times this season. UConn's Katie Lou Samuelson joined Williams in the headlines as the Freshman of the Week, while Zykira Lewis (UCF), Breanna Stewart (UConn), I'Tiana Taylor (East Carolina), Alicia Froling (SMU) and Leslie Vorpahl (Tulane) were named to the Weekly Honor Roll.
Currently ranked third in USF's all-time scoring list, Williams is 105 points away from becoming the second player in school history to reach the 2,000-point milestone. Williams has proved she's not just an offensive threat, but can crash the boards with the best in the country, as the guard nearly averages a double-double this season (22.1 points, 9.1 rebounds per game) and needs only nine rebounds to reach 800 career rebounds. Williams is on pace to be the first Bull in program history to reach 2,000 points, 800 rebounds and 300 assists. The senior needs 24 assists to reach 300.
While Williams will end her career as arguably the best player in program history, she ranks highly among the nations best. Williams is just one of two players in the country averaging over 20 points, nine rebounds and two assists per game. Williams ranks 10th in Division I with 22.1 points per game and has seven double-doubles this season.
Williams turned in two double-doubles last week, starting with a dominant performance at Tulane. Williams notched her third 30-plus point outing this season against the Green Wave, scoring 31 points in New Orleans. Even more impressive, the senior shot 52 percent (12-for-23) and drained four of her nine three-point attempts. Williams also grabbed 13 rebounds, dished out three assists and added one steal in the Bulls dramatic 61-57 win. Williams matched Tulane with 17 points in the fourth quarter.
In the Bulls impressive 75-54 win over East Carolina, Williams stat line was equally notable with 21 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, one block and one steal. On the defensive end, Williams was matched-up with ECU's top threat Jada Payne, and she held the senior to just 13 points and a 25 percent shooting percentage (5-for-20).
Williams and the Bulls return to action Wednesday at Memphis. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET and will air on the American Digital Network.
The Bulls continue to climb in the polls, and have reached their highest rankings in program history. USF has been ranked as highly as No. 18 in the Associated Press poll and No. 16 in the USA Today Coaches Poll this season; both are the highest rankings in program history. USF has appeared in both polls every week and placed as highly as No. 11 on some ballots.
USF has made 11 postseason tournament appearances and had three NCAA Tournament berths in Head Coach Jose Fernandez's 15 seasons. The all-time winningest coach in program history, Fernandez has guided USF to six 20-win seasons, two WNIT final four appearances, the 2009 WNIT championship and won more than 260 games.
– #GoBulls –
