WBB: Duke freshman Williams making big impact

Duke

WBB: Duke freshman Williams making big impact

Jan 17, 2012

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Durham, N.C. — On January 6th at Wake Forest, Duke freshman center Elizabeth Williams had a night to remember.

"I didn't realize how many rebounds and blocks that I had," Williams said. "I was just blocking shots and trying to play hard defensively."

"It was just more of like, 'Great game,' and then looking at the stat sheet and saying, 'Oh wow, that was pretty productive,'" Duke head coach Joanne McCallie recalled.

Williams' performance that night wasn't just productive. It was historic. She set the new ACC single-game record with 12 blocked shots. And she added 18 points and 16 rebounds to become the first freshman in conference history to ever earn a triple-double.

"It felt pretty good," said Williams. "I think I had a couple in high school."

The Virginia Beach native was one of the top high school players in the country, and she’s played on Team USA traveling squads the last three years.

"It was just an incredible experience to be able to recruit someone like Elizabeth, just who she is off the court and who she is on the floor," said McCallie.

On the floor, Williams has made an immediate impact, leading the entire Duke team in points, boards and blocks, as the Devils have climbed to No. 5 in the polls.

Her game resembles one of her basketball role models.

"Tim Duncan is one of my favorite players," Williams said.

Like Duncan, she's a smart player. Williams was drawn to Duke for its medical program.

Her father is a doctor, her mother is a nurse and Williams is pursuing something similar.

"Some type of physician," Williams said. "I'm not sure what specific field, but I really like medicine."

"She really likes academic and knowledge. She's quite a thinker," McCallie said.

And quite a player.