Kamiko Williams

Kamiko Williams
Personal information
Born (1991-04-06) April 6, 1991 (age 33)
Fayetteville, North Carolina
NationalityAmerican
Listed height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Listed weight160 lb (73 kg)
Career information
High school
CollegeTennessee (2009–2013)
WNBA draft2013: 2nd round, 15th overall pick
Selected by the New York Liberty
Playing career2013–2014
PositionGuard
Career history
2013New York Liberty
Stats at WNBA.com
Stats at Basketball Reference
Stats at Basketball Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Kamiko Williams (born April 6, 1991) is an American basketball coach and a former professional basketball player who last played for the New York Liberty of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).[1]

Williams was a former standout player under legendary coach Pat Summitt at the University of Tennessee and was a second-round draft pick in the 2013 WNBA draft.

High school career

Williams was raised as a Military dependent as her father, Vincent Williams, served in the United States Army. As a freshman, she starred for Kaiserslautern High School[2] in Germany, which was part of the Department of Defense Dependents Schools (DoDDS) system for the children of United States Armed Forces personnel and Civil Servants overseas. Williams finished her freshman year at Kaiserslautern averaging 14.7 points per game and 10.8 rebounds per game, earning her a 2006 First Team All-Europe selection and was the only freshman to do so. The selection committee notably dubbed Williams as "Europe's Best Player."[3] Williams completed her high school career at Northeast High School in Clarksville, Tennessee as her father had a Permanent change of station to Fort Campbell in nearby Kentucky.

College career

As a player at Tennessee from 2010–13, Williams honed her skills and competitive mentality under the guidance of legendary coach Pat Summitt, helping the Lady Vols to three NCAA Elite Eight appearances and one Sweet Sixteen appearance. During her time in Knoxville, the team had a combined record of 120-23. Williams played in 128 games for the storied program, winning two Regular Season Southeastern Conference (SEC) Championships and three SEC Tournament Championships.

Professional career

Williams was then drafted 15th overall in the 2013 WNBA Draft by the New York Liberty and coach Bill Laimbeer. In one season with the Liberty, she averaged 2.6 points and 2.1 rebounds per game.[4] During a team practice Williams tore a knee ligament, causing her to miss the entire 2014 WNBA season.[5]

Coaching career

Williams started her coaching career (2015–18) at the University of New Haven where she assisted in recruiting, academics, strength and conditioning, community outreach, basketball camps and fundraising. The Chargers advanced to the Northeast-10 Conference semifinals during the 2015-16 season.

Williams spent three seasons (2018–21) in the same role at Monmouth University. During the 2019-20 season, she helped lead Monmouth to its seventh consecutive Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Tournament Quarterfinals appearance. The Hawks ended the season 35th in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 57.5 points per game.

Under Williams’ guidance senior Sierra Green led the team in scoring at 11.1 points per game and knocked down 71 3-pointers to move into third-all-time with 169. Senior Rosa Graham ended the season 10th in program history with 271 assists. During the 2018–19 season, Williams helped lead the Hawks to their highest-ever MAAC finish and advanced to the semifinals of the tournament for the second time in six seasons. During her time at Monmouth, she coached several players that earned All-MAAC honors.

Williams spent the 2021-22 season as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana. She coached All-Southland Conference player Chyna Allen at Nicholls.

Williams spent the 2022-23 season as an assistant coach at Weber State University (WSU).[6]

Career statistics

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game  RPG  Rebounds per game
 APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game  BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game
 TO  Turnovers per game  FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 Bold  Career best ° League leader

WNBA

Regular season

Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG TO PPG
2013 New York 34 18 13.3 32.2 26.1 57.1 2.1 0.9 0.7 0.2 0.9 2.6
Career 1 year, 1 team 34 18 13.3 32.2 26.1 57.1 2.1 0.9 0.7 0.2 0.9 2.6

College

Source:[7]

Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage  3P%  3-point field goal percentage  FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  Bold  Career high
Year Team GP Points FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2009–10 Tennessee 34 137 42.3 33.3 74.1 1.9 1.6 0.7 0.5 4.0
2010–11 Tennessee 37 251 46.5 36.0 70.0 3.2 1.6 0.8 0.6 6.8
2011–12 Tennessee 22 62 41.3 - 90.9 1.8 1.3 0.5 0.4 2.8
2012–13 Tennessee 35 258 50.5 32.6 70.0 4.2 2.5 1.6 0.3 7.4
Career Tennessee 128 708 46.5 30.9 73.1 2.9 1.8 0.9 0.5 5.5

Personal life

Williams graduated from Tennessee in three years with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Criminal Justice. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree from Southern New Hampshire University.[8]

References

  1. ^ WNBAcom: Kamiko Williams Playerfile
  2. ^ "Europe girls basketball roundup: Freshman helps K-town kick off season with sweep". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  3. ^ "2006 All-Europe girls team: The backcourt steps to the front". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  4. ^ "Kamiko Williams Career Stats - WNBA". ESPN. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  5. ^ "Liberty G Williams (knee) won't play in 2014". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 17, 2017.
  6. ^ "Kamiko Williams - Women's Basketball Coach". Weber State University Athletics. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  7. ^ "NCAA®". web1.ncaa.org. Retrieved May 23, 2016.
  8. ^ "Clarksville's Kamiko Williams is ready for life in the WNBA with the New York Liberty - Clarksville, TN Online". Clarksville, TN Online. April 16, 2013. Retrieved September 17, 2017.