The Dream gave up a considerable amount to add center Elizabeth Williams during the offseason, but she showed against her former team why Atlanta’s price was right.
Williams recorded her first career double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds in Atlanta’s 93-87 victory over the Connecticut Sun on Sunday at Philips Arena. Williams’ effort was just the latest in a string of successes, as she has scored in double figures in six of her past seven games.
tThe Dream surrendered the fourth overall pick in the 2016 draft to acquire the 6-foot-3 Williams in February. And according to coach Michael Cooper, the team has gotten a true return on investment.
“Elizabeth is doing everything I expected her to do,” Cooper said. “When the opportunity came to get her, everybody doubted it. Most players like Elizabeth Williams need minutes, and she was able to get those minutes here.”
Cooper explained he had been familiar with Williams going back to her high school days at Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach, Va. As the coach at Southern California, he went after Williams hard to no avail, as she chose Duke.
When he had the chance to add her to his team this time around, he didn’t miss.
“I always was a big fan of hers from afar,” Cooper said. “I knew she was a defensive presence in the ACC for three years. Your defense has to be anchored by people closing that middle up. I’m not surprised by the way she’s playing because I knew that was (possible).”
Williams’ play on Sunday led the team both statistically and literally. When the Sun threatened a fourth-quarter surge, she quelled it with her play, bringing down key rebounds while dishing assists.
She ultimately ended her former team’s chances with 32 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Connecticut had possession on its side of the court and a three-point deficit, but a missed shot fell into the arms of Williams. She looked up, spotted teammate Meighan Simmons streaking down the court and fired a bullet to the guard. Simmons delivered a layup that sealed the victory.
“She is what we needed to become a championship team,” Cooper said.
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