Ahead of the 2021 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm, we take a closer look at some of this year’s top prospects.
Kiana Williams | Guard | 5-Foot-8 | Stanford
1. Went Out As A Champion
On Sunday, April 4, Kiana Williams suited up for the Stanford Cardinals for the final time. And she won the final game of her college career, helping the Cardinals win their first NCAA championship since 1992 as Stanford edged out Arizona 54-53.
Over the course of the NCAA Tournament, Williams averaged 12.7 points, 3.7 assists, 2.2 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 35.2 minutes per game. She averaged 2.8 3-pointers made and shot 43.6% from beyond the arc, and did not sit a single minute of the final three games of the tournament.
The perfect end to the most memorable season ever.#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/Z4AD5L5T1M
— Stanford Women’s Basketball (@StanfordWBB) April 5, 2021
2. And Won The Title In Her Hometown
When it comes to storybook endings, it doesn’t get much better than winning the biggest game of your career in your hometown. But that is exactly what Williams did as the 2021 Final Four took place in Williams’ hometown of San Antonio.
A leader. A role model. A winner.@Kiana__W's Stanford journey has come full circle, with a chance to add on to an already special career in her hometown of San Antonio.#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/fAUxko1g6K
— Stanford Women’s Basketball (@StanfordWBB) March 18, 2021
After winning the title in front of friends and family, and cutting down the nets at the Alamodome, Williams posted the following message on Twitter as she represented for her city.
From the city… FOR the city pic.twitter.com/VFYkVM5T3g
— Kiana Williams (@Kiana__W) April 5, 2021
She even made sure to leave something behind for the kids in San Antonio looking to chase their own dreams.
The legend of the @StanfordWBB ping pong table lives on… 🏓 https://t.co/AIrp185L5U
— Stanford Women’s Basketball (@StanfordWBB) April 14, 2021
Ten days later, she received this honor from the city of San Antonio, just hours before her name will be called at the 2021 WNBA Draft.
A proud San Antonioian🤍 pic.twitter.com/kadbHGqKHT
— Kiana Williams (@Kiana__W) April 15, 2021
3. The Numbers
Senior Season Stats (2020-21): 33 GP, 32.3 MPG, 14.0 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.33 SPG, 41.0 FG%, 38.3 3P%, 89.5 FT%
Stanford Career Stats (4 Seasons): 137 GP, 31.6 MPG, 13.4 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 3.4 APG, 1.11 SPG, 41.6 FG%, 37.0 3P%, 83.3 FT%
Williams finished her senior season leading the Cardinal in points (14.0), assists (3.1), 3-pointers made (82) and minutes played (32.3). She finished her Stanford career ranked first in program history in 3-pointers made (311), tied for second in free throw percentage (83.3%), ninth in assists (464) and 10th in points (1,834).
What she did at Stanford was nothing short of special ✨@Kiana__W is ready to take her talent to the next level!#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/yfi12n3pqr
— Stanford Women’s Basketball (@StanfordWBB) April 14, 2021
She also never missed a game after stepping on campus in 2017-18. She appearing in all 137 games of her college career, including 128 consecutive starts after joining the starting five during her freshman season.
Locked in to the #WNBADraft this week 👀
A chance to add to the history of Stanford success in the pros!#GoStanford pic.twitter.com/meEeasWxp0
— Stanford Women’s Basketball (@StanfordWBB) April 14, 2021
Another number that Williams will add to on Thursday is the number of players drafted out of Stanford, which currently stands at 26 (including 12 first-round selections). That ranks third all-time behind only Connecticut and Tennessee as the college programs that have produced the most WNBA draftees.
Top 10: Schools With Most WNBA Draft Picks
- Connecticut: 40
- Tennessee: 39
- Stanford: 26
- Duke: 25
- Georgia: 23
- North Carolina: 20
- Rutgers: 20
- Baylor: 19
- Maryland: 19
- Notre Dame: 19
4. Synergy Scouting Report
Williams’ top two play types in half court sets came as the ball handler in pick-and-roll (143 possessions) and as a spot-up shooter (108) possessions. In pick-and-roll, she scored 0.888 points per possession and shot 44.1% from the field (with an effective field goal percentage of 50%, accounting for her 15 3-pointers made). As a spot-up shooter, Williams scored 0.954 points per possession and shot 34.0% from the field, including 28-83 from 3-point range.
She was at her most effective in transition, as she scored 107 points in 96 possessions (1.115 per possession) as she shot 47.4% from the field and posted an effective field goal percentage of 57.9%. She also drew shooting fouls on 10.4% of her transition plays, as she added another 19 points on 20 free throw attempts.
Shot Chart from Synergy Sports
5. What They’re Saying
Tara VanDerveer (Stanford Head Coach): I am thrilled for Kiana as she is set to embark on this next chapter of her life. I have loved coaching her over the past four years and am very proud of both the player and person that she has become.
Kiana’s leadership was vital to the team’s success this season, helping to navigate us through the most challenging year of our lifetimes. I know that myself, the rest the program, and our fans across the world are going to be cheering on Kiana’s successes in the future, and we know her experience on The Farm has her prepared for anything that life could throw at her.
Led Stanford to 2021 National Championship
3 Time All-Pac-12 Selection
Most Career 3-PT FG in Stanford HistoryWe can't wait to see what the future holds for Kiana Williams.#WNBADraft #WNBA @NewYorkLife pic.twitter.com/vxEvxCbDQb
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) April 12, 2021