Sept. 8, 2006
UPDATE: The Detroit Shock defeated the Sacramento Monarchs 70-65 on Saturday (Sept. 9) to win their second WNBA title in the last three years. Angelina Williams becomes the first former Illini to win a WNBA title.
Former Fighting Illini star Angelina Williams is on the verge of realizing one of her dreams. Williams and her Detroit Shock teammates will take the court on Saturday with a chance dethrone the defending WNBA champion Sacramento Monarchs. Tied 2-2, the best-of-five Finals series comes down to Saturday's finale at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit (2:30 p.m. CT/ ESPN2). Facing elimination in Game 4 on Wednesday, Detroit pulled away for a72-52 victory in Sacramento to set up the do-or-die finale.
"Playing for a Championship is a great feeling," said Williams, who suited up for the Orange and Blue from 2001-2005. "I'm just trying to take advantage and enjoy it. I'm only in my second year, but you never know when you'll be back in this position again.
"We play the best when our backs are up against the wall like they were in Game 4," Williams said of the team's impressive performance on Wednesday. "We had to bring our game or we were going home and we did that. I think we can do it again in Game 5."
Williams played a brief, but key role in the Shock's Game 4 win. With the starting guards in foul trouble, Williams saw five minutes of action at the end of the third and start of the fourth quarters, helping the Shock pull away from a four-point lead for the easy win. Williams had two points, a rebound and a blocked shot as the Shock out-scored the Monarchs 9-2 while she was in the game.
"Coach (Bill) Laimbeer just tells me to be ready," said Williams of her role for the Eastern Conference champs. "Our guards got in trouble in Game 4 and we needed the bench to step up, so I did what I needed to do."
A second round draft pick of the Phoenix Mercury in 2005, Williams averaged 2.5 points per game during her rookie campaign. But just before this season started, she was traded to Detroit for a pair of third round draft picks. Though initially upset, the trade has turned out to be a blessing for the Chicago, Ill. native.
"I was sad to be leaving Phoenix at the time," Williams said of the trade. "It was difficult to adjust when I got here, but everything has worked out. I'm playing for a championship tomorrow, what more can you ask for?
"Plus, it has definitely been nice to be closer to home," continued Williams. "I've made it back to Chicago a few times and my parents have been able to come to most of the home games here in Detroit, which is great."
Williams wrapped up her stellar Illinois career in 2005 with 1,639 points - good for fourth on UI the career scoring list - and was First Team All-Big Ten pick by the media as a senior. At 6-1, she was able to play both guard and forward positions in college, but her future with the Shock may be as a point guard. Williams has been getting some point guard reps behind women's basketball legend Katie Smith and her future with the team may be there.
"When I came here, Coach Laimbeer has said that he sees me as a key part to this team in the future," Williams said. "He wanted to get me last year but Phoenix took me before they could. Forward, guard, point guard - I'll do whatever they want me to do."
Regardless of her position, Williams is making the most of her opportunity for a professional basketball career. No matter what happens in Game 5 on Saturday, she'll keep working towards becoming a more complete player. During the winter she plans to hone her skills playing ball overseas.
"After the season I'll go overseas somewhere to play ball, I'm just not sure where yet," said Williams of her off-season plans. "Also, I still need one more class at Illinois to finish my degree, so I plan to get back sometime soon to finish up. Then next summer I'll be back in Detroit fighting for a bigger role."
