Anything is possible with Courtney Williams, perhaps the most outstanding female athlete in USF history.
By JOEY JOHNSTON
Tribune Staff Writer
(c) Tampa Bay Times. Originally published March 19, 2016.
TAMPA — Her value is often measured with numbers — points, rebounds, assists and victories.
But the full measure of Courtney Williams, the University of South Florida’s 5-foot-8 senior guard and perhaps the school’s finest female athlete ever, is defined by moments.
“She has meant everything to us,” USF coach Jose Fernandez said.
The next moment comes tonight when the No. 6-seeded Bulls (23-9) face the No. 11 Colorado State Rams (31-1) in an NCAA Tournament first-rounder at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles.
It’s the time when leaders step up and transcendent players deliver. Williams fully intends to do that. But that wouldn’t be anything new.
“We’re at the (American Athletic Conference) tournament semifinals against Temple and Courtney wasn’t having the game she wanted, at least by her standards,” USF athletic director Mark Harlan said. “It’s the third period. I’m sitting courtside. She walks by me and says, ‘I’m going to get this thing going, Mr. Harlan. Just watch.’
“She proceeds to score eight straight points. She feeds off things like that. That’s her. That’s Courtney. She’s the type of person you remember. She’ll always have a special place in my heart.”
She’s an All-America candidate and future WNBA player. She has a 3.28 grade-point average in criminology and was named the AAC’s Scholar-Athlete of the Year in women’s basketball.
She averages 22.0 points per game (12th nationally) and is climbing the all-time USF charts, ranking second in scoring (2,244 points), third in
rebounds (916), seventh in blocked shots (91), eighth in assists (317) and 14th in steals (158). She’s a finalist for a flood of postseason accolades, including the Wooden Award and the Wade Trophy.
But the essence of Courtney Williams?
“Plain and simple, she’s a baller,” Bulls senior guard Shalethia Stringfield said.
Since the day she arrived at USF from tiny Folkston, Georgia, Williams has exuded confidence.
As a freshman, she realized it required hard work to claim her spot. As a sophomore, things began blossoming and she found her apex while hitting a 3-point shot at the buzzer to beat Mississippi State and send USF to the WNIT Final Four.
“I had just been hired and was barely on the job,” Harlan said. “I saw her shot and said, ‘Who is that?’ ”
The women’s basketball world was finding out. In the past two seasons, Williams made her mark as one of the nation’s finest athletes, a creator of instant offense, a floor leader, a winner. She plays with a combination of joy and bravado. She has unblinking belief in herself, whether she’s facing a last-second shot or a critical free-throw attempt.
“Courtney is not intimidated by anything — ever,” USF senior forward Alisia Jenkins said.
Ask Williams a question and she’ll give you an answer. She dreams the impossible dream, such as beating top-ranked Connecticut, and some Huskies have bristled when hearing that, suggesting that Williams was talking out of turn.
Williams just shrugs.
“I believe that anything is possible if you work hard and play hard,” Williams said. “I am confident. Some people call me cocky, and I’m probably that, too. There’s nothing wrong with that. My dad always said it’s OK to be cocky as long as you can back it up and you don’t turn it into arrogance.
“We’re playing basketball. It’s a competition, a game, and I’m going all out. Afterward, we’re cool, we’re friends. But when the lights come on and they’re throwing up that ball, for me, it’s all business.”
Fernandez noticed Williams’ single-minded competitive spirit during the recruiting process. Her determination has heightened over time. But he’s especially pleased Williams has matured into a team player and unquestioned leader.
“Nothing really fazes Courtney,” Fernandez said. “She really believes she’s one of the best players in the country. She’s not worried about playing in the big game or having the spotlight on her. She wants to take the last shot. She wants the ball in her hands during crucial situations. You can’t teach that.
“But for us, she has really excelled at making the people around her better. She communicates well and makes sure everyone is on the same page. There are a lot of expectations surrounding her and she does a great job with that.”
Williams said she has grown into a leadership role. She views her statistics only as a means to an end.
“How many games did we win? That’s my main number,” Williams said. “I don’t look at that stat line. I know in my heart if I played well, if I helped the team.
“My teammates look to me, so I can’t just act a certain type of way. I’m naturally upbeat and confident. I want them to be confident in me and our team, so I don’t ever get down. I just don’t. I have to be that person. And I like to be that person who always has a good spirit. Why not? I’ve got a lot to be happy about.”
Williams’ mother, Michele, actually made the decision for her to come to USF.
“She said it had everything I needed and I was coming here,” Williams said, laughing. “She was right. It has been perfect. It has been an amazing journey.”
Of course, Williams doesn’t want it to end. She’s driven to bring USF to new heights — its first trip to the Sweet 16 — but won’t allow herself to think of the ultimate conquest, facing UConn in the Bridgeport Region final with a Final Four spot on the line.
“The only one that matters is the next one,” Williams said. “You’ve got to stay in the moment.”
Her moments have included 95 victories and four postseason bids, including three trips to the NCAA Tournament. Williams won’t think about the future, laughing when asked what it would be like to return to the Sun Dome one day and see a banner with her retired No. 10.
“I don’t look back, only forward, but I would like people to think I was a great player and a great teammate here,” Williams said. “I’d like them to think I made a difference and made things a little better. This place has set me up for life.”
As for Williams’ life, it’s hard to imagine things being better. She’s ready for another NCAA Tournament run. She’s expected to be a WNBA first-round draft choice. She will graduate May 7. She’s about to become a first-time aunt as her older sister, Doniece, is expecting a boy April 1.
Life is good.
“It is, it surely is,” Williams said.
She broke into a huge smile.
“Actually, life is great.”
