March 7, 2006
The Minnesota Lynx today announced that they have re-signed free-agent forward Tamika Williams. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“We are excited that Tamika has decided to remain a member of the Minnesota Lynx,” said Lynx Chief Operating Officer Roger Griffith. “She brings leadership, maturity and professionalism to our franchise. It is very important for the development of our young team to have a player with these qualities.”

In 133 career WNBA games with the Lynx (2002-2005), the Dayton, Ohio native has averaged 8.0 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 29.2 minutes per game. The four-year veteran has a career field goal percentage of 58.1 (441-for-759), making her the league’s all-time leader in that category. In the 2003 WNBA campaign, Williams shattered the league’s single-season record for field-goal accuracy by shooting 66.8%. She followed that up by shooting 54.0% in 2004, again leading the league.

Williams compiled her best season in the league as a rookie (2002), when she averaged 10.1 points, (.561 FG%, 124-for-221), a team-leading 7.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 33.0 minutes in 31 games (all starts) for the Lynx. A 6-2 forward from the University of Connecticut, Williams was drafted by Minnesota in the first round (6th overall) of the 2002 WNBA Draft. She is currently in her third season as an assistant coach for The Ohio State University women’s basketball team, helping guide the Lady Buckeyes to back-to-back Big Ten Championships.

Minnesota won the fifth annual WNBA Draft Lottery in October, earning the first pick in the 2006 WNBA Draft. The team also holds the seventh overall pick in the WNBA draft, which is slated for April 5 in Boston.