Birthdate: 11/30/70
Birthplace: Long Beach, Calif.
Hometown: Taylorsville , Utah
Current Residence: Holladay, Utah
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 177
Sport: Basketball

Two-sport star

A two-sport athlete, Natalie Williams earned All-America honors in both basketball and volleyball at UCLA. In recent years, she has turned her focus exclusively to basketball, and the choice has proven to be wise. Williams was a key member of the United States team that won gold at the 1998 World Championships. An athletic inside player, Williams was the top American rebounder (9.6 per game) and second-highest scorer (12.6 points) during the team's undefeated run through the tournament. With 86 rebounds, she set an American women's record for a single World Championships.

Gifted Bruin

A two-time All-American in basketball, Williams averaged 20.4 points and 12.8 rebounds per game during her four seasons at UCLA. The 1994 Pac-10 Player of the Year was a finalist for the Naismith Player of the Year Award, as both a junior and senior. Williams led UCLA to the Sweet Sixteen of the 1992 NCAA tournament. Her achievements on the basketball court at UCLA are impressive, but secondary to what she accomplished as a volleyball player. Williams was a four-time All-American in that sport and twice was named the NCAA's Player of the Year. UCLA, with Williams leading the way, won NCAA volleyball titles in 1990 and 1991. She played volleyball for the U.S. national team and was among the finalists for a spot on the 1996 Olympic squad.

Going pro

Williams began her professional basketball career playing for the Portland Power of the American Basketball League (ABL). She was named the league’s MVP after finishing the 1997-98 season as its leading scorer and rebounder. The ABL folded in December 1998, and Williams was selected by the Utah Starzz with the third pick in the 1999 WNBA draft. In her debut season, Williams earned All-WNBA First Team honors, averaging 18.0 points and 9.2 rebounds per game (fourth and second in the league, respectively).

Utah star

A native of Utah, Williams attended Taylorsville High School, near Salt Lake City. Growing up, she excelled in track and field as well as basketball and volleyball, winning a state high school title in the long jump. Her Utah heritage and style of play have drawn comparisons to bruising Utah Jazz power forward Karl Malone. Williams told the Washington Post, "Karl has always been someone I've looked up to. I've been watching him since I was 15 years old." In a 1996 poll, Willaims was chosen by fans as Utah's female Athlete of the Century.

History

USA Basketball Notes: Gold Medals: 1999 U.S. Olympic Cup, 1998 World Championship, 1996 R. William Jones Cup. Named the 1999 USA Basketball Female Athlete of the Year. Helped the USA capture the 1999 U.S. Olympic Cup gold medal and the USA Basketball International Invitational titles, averaged a team-high 8.7 rpg. and a team second best 15.7 ppg. Named to the 1999-2000 USA Basktball Women's Senior National Team on August 14, 1999. Member of the gold medal winning 1998 USA World Championship Team which finished with a perfect 9-0 record and was named the 1998 USA Basketball Team of the Year, averaged a team second best 12.3 ppg. and team-high 9.6 rpg. Aided the U.S. to a 12-1 record in its 13 game pre-World Championship During team's pre-World Championship competition, averaged team second bests of 14.2 ppg. and 7.6 rpg. in 13 games. Member of the 1998 USA Women's National Team that finished 2-3 versus host Australia in the Goldmark Cup, averaged 6.7 ppg. and 5.0. Member of the 1996 USA R. William Jones Cup Team that captured the gold medal with a perfect 9-0 record. 1988 USA Olympic Trials participant.

USA Basketball Records: Grabbed a USA World Championship competition record 86 rebounds in 1998. Ranks among all-time USA World Championship competitors fifth for rebounds (86) and blocked shots (7).

Professional Notes: A 2000 WNBA All-Star Game Western Conference Team member, recorded five points and 10 rebounds in 17 minutes of action. Competed with Utah Jazz' Jeff Hornacek, and won, the 1999 NBA All-Star 2Ball contest. Finished the 1999 WNBA season ranked fourth for scoring (18.0 ppg.), second for rebounding (9.2 rpg.), 15th for blocks per game (0.79) and second for double-doubles (12). Named to the 1999 All-WNBA first team. Selected by the Utah Starzz as the No. 3 pick in the 1999 WNBA draft. Named WNBA Player of the Week (7/5-11/99) after leading the Starzz to a 2-1 record, averaged 22.7 ppg. and 9.7 rpg. Selected to participate in the 1999 WNBA All-Star Game, recording a game high 14 points, a game high tying eight rebounds and added three assists and one steal. Prior to the ABL folding in December, 1998, ranked among league leaders second for scoring (19.9 ppg.), rebounding (9.9 rpg.) and field goal percentage (58.0%), ninth (tie) for blocked shots (9) and 13th for steals (2.0 spg.). Named the 1998 ABL Most Valuable Player, received 33 of the 39 first place votes. Unanimous selection to the 1998 All-ABL first team, finished the 1998 season as the ABL's leading scorer (21.9 ppg.) and rebounder (11.6 rpg.), ranked second in field goal percentage (55.5%), fourth in blocks (1.1 bpg.) and tied for eighth in steals (2.0 spg.). 1998 ABL All-Star Game Western Conference starting forward, recorded a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Named January 1998 ABL Player of the Month after averaging 23.7 ppg. and 12.5 rpg. Named ABL Player of the Week three times in 1997-98. Selected 1997 All-ABL first team. 1997 ABL All-Star Game Western Conference Team member, recorded 16 points and 15 rebounds. Led the ABL in 1997 in rebounding (12.5 rpg.) and finished tied for fifth in scoring (17.3 ppg.) Holds the ABL single game rebounding record with 22 versus Atlanta (1/9/97). Recorded a league-high 22 double-doubles in 1996-97.

Collegiate Notes: During her four seasons (1991-94), averaged a double-double with 20.4 ppg. and 12.8 rpg., while UCLA compiled a 64-49 record (56.6%) and advanced to the 1992 NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen. Named 1994 All-American first team by Kodak, 1994 and 1993 All-American first team by Basketball Times and U.S. Basketball Writers Association. 1994 and 1993 Naismith Player of the Year finalist. Named 1994 Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10) Player of the Year and 1994, 1993 and 1992 All-Pac-10 first team. Named 1991 Pac-10 All-Freshman Team. Named Pac-10 Player of the Week 16 times in her career, eight for basketball and eight for volleyball. Named two-time National Player of the Year and four-year All-American in volleyball at UCLA. Led UCLA to NCAA volleyball titles in 1991 and 1990. Named to the Pac-10 All-Decade Team, encompassing all sports.

Meet Natalie Williams