Utah Valley Women’s Basketball and the WAC as a whole will miss the fantastic homegrown play of center Josie Williams. In a press release by the University of Louisville on June 30, the school announced that Williams is now officially a Cardinal.
The Success of Josie Williams
Williams, from West Haven, Utah, played three seasons at Utah Valley, improving each year on the court. In the last two seasons, the 6-5 center earned a spot on the All-WAC first team for her stellar performances. In 2021-22, she averaged 17.3 points and was fifth in the nation in rebounds with 12.4. She also set the UVU school record for double-doubles in a season with 24. Williams was fourth in the country in that stat.
In 2020-21, the 6-5 center helped Utah Valley secure the No. 2 seed to the WAC Tournament. And by virtue of CBU winning the tourney, Williams and the Wolverines were the WAC representative at the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history.
Initially, Williams was going to stay at Utah Valley for her final season. But, BYU showed some interest and Williams put her name in the transfer portal late. However, instead of heading just five miles east of Orem to Provo, Williams chose to go across the country. Louisville is getting a talented big who can score, rebound and defend.
By transferring to Louisville, she becomes the third WAC post player to transfer to a Power 5 conference after Caitlyn Harper’s move to Purdue and Stephanie Visscher leaving for Michigan State.
Louisville in 2021-22
Last season, Louisville ended the regular season with a 29-5 overall record. They were also fourth in the country and were a favorite in the eyes of many to win it all. In the NCAA Tournament, the Cardinals made it all the way to the Final Four before falling to the eventual national champs in South Carolina. After the successful season, two Louisville players were selected in the WNBA draft. One of these players was senior forward Emily Engstler who went fourth overall to the Indiana Fever.
Williams joins a very talented squad with a ton of potential. Alongside Forwards Olivia Cochran and Alexia Mobley, Louisville’s frontcourt looks nearly impossible to stop with the addition of the former Wolverine. Expect Williams to excel on her new team and be a testament to what the WAC can build.
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