Tag: Wisconsin Women’s basketball

Wisconsin women’s basketball forward crosses 1,000-point threshold in win

Wisconsin women’s basketball forward crosses 1,000-point threshold in win

Wisconsin women’s basketball forward Serah Williams tallied her 1,000th career point in the Badgers’ win over UIC on Thursday.

The moment arrived with roughly three minutes remaining in the first quarter of the 61-57 victory. Williams fielded a pass from guard Tess Myers, dribbled inside, then spun to her left before banking in a layup.

With the bucket, Williams became the 29th player in program history to eclipse the 1,000-point mark. In 66 career games, she also became the third-quickest UW player to do so, per Wisconsin’s program.

The Brooklyn, New York native scored a game-best 20 points off 8-of-14 from the field. She also corralled 14 rebounds, secured three steals and recorded two blocks in the effort.

On the season, Williams is averaging 19.8 points, 11.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 2.8 blocks in 29.8 minutes per game. It’s safe to say she’s emerged as one of the sport’s most dynamic two-way players this season.

Williams previously earned 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and 2024 Big Ten First Team nods as a junior.

After years of mediocrity, Wisconsin’s women’s basketball program appears to be undergoing a revival. The Badgers have improved their record in every season under fourth-year head coach Marisa Moseley, including a WNIT bid in 2023-24.

UW is 4-1 to begin the season and will play its next game against Omaha on Nov. 23.

Wisconsin women’s basketball lands class of 2025 forward from Spain

Wisconsin women’s basketball lands class of 2025 forward from Spain

Wisconsin’s women’s basketball program landed class of 2025 forward Ines García Monje on Monday.

Marisa Moseley and her staff continue diversifying their roster with another overseas acquisition. The Badgers recently received commitments from Spanish guard Alba Martín Mesa and Serbian wing Jovana Spasovski to join their program for the 2024-25 slate.

While García Monje won’t join UW until the 2025-26 season, the commitment is certainly notable. This summer, she represented Spain at the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup in Mexico and averaged 10 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals in seven games.

In the team’s final bout, she scored a game-best 15 points and 10 boards to propel Spain to a third-place finish behind the United States and France. She pocketed second-team nods for her all-around efforts on the hardwood.

García Monje is listed at 6’2” and epitomizes what a modern international player can bring to the table. With fellow Spaniard Alba Martín Mesa on the platoon this coming season, she will arrive in Madison with an ability to contribute immediately.

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The Badgers begin their 2024 season with an exhibition against UW-Stevens Point on Oct. 29 at the Kohl Center. The crew will look to secure its second straight playoff berth following its WNIT quarterfinals finish in 2023.

LOOK: Wisconsin women’s basketball releases jersey numbers for 2024 season

LOOK: Wisconsin women’s basketball releases jersey numbers for 2024 season

Wisconsin women’s basketball released its jersey numbers for the 2024-25 season last week.

A total of seven newcomers will make their Wisconsin debuts this fall. That list includes former Northern Kentucky center Carter McCray, former Duquesne guard Tess Myers, true freshman Alie Bistable, true freshman Gracie Grzesk, walk-on Reese Jaramillo, Spanish signee Alba Martín Mesa and Serbian wing Jovana Spasovski.

Junior guard Ronnie Porter, sophomore D’Yanis Jimenez, sophomore Tessa Grady, junior Lily Krahn and sophomore Leena Patibandla will contribute as second or third-year playmakers while star forward Serah Williams, veteran guard Halle Douglass and fifth-year guard Natalie Leuzinger return as Wisconsin’s veteran presences.

 

Wisconsin enters this fall fresh off its 15-17 performance from a season ago, a campaign in which the crew clinched a postseason berth for the first time in 10 years.

This will also mark head coach Marisa Moseley’s fourth season running the show on Wisconsin’s sidelines this winter. Since she’s taken over, the Badgers have experienced an overhaul in culture and winning approach.

WATCH: Wisconsin women’s basketball forward defeats Mexico with USA Basketball

WATCH: Wisconsin women’s basketball forward downs Mexico with USA Basketball

Wisconsin women’s basketball star Serah Williams nailed back-to-back game-winners in Stop 5 of the 3×3 U23 Nations League 2024 in Mexico City, Mexico on Saturday.

Williams’ alongside Lucy Olsen (University of Iowa), Christina Dalce (University of Maryland) and Cotie McMahon (Ohio State University) went 3-0 on Saturday with wins over the Cayman Islands, Argentina and Mexico.

Williams chipped in five points including the game-sealing layup in Stop 5’s final against Mexico. She also snagged four boards in the winning effort.

She also registered three points in the United States’ triumph over Argentina after recording seven points and five rebounds in their 21-3 route against the Cayman Islands in the previous contest.

The USA Men’s and Women’s Basketball teams will continue playing during Stop 6 of the 3×3  U23 Nations League on Sunday.

Wisconsin head coach Marisa Moseley also made the trek to Mexico City to support Williams — a genuine gesture for a coach spearheading the program’s rebirth.

This marks Williams’ first appearance with USA Basketball. Given her ability to both defend and score the rock, she could become a staple in the organization’s 3×3 pipeline.

Wisconsin women’s basketball adds Serbian wing

Wisconsin women’s basketball adds Serbian wing

Wisconsin’s women’s basketball program announced the addition of Serbian wing Jovana Spasovski to its 2024-25 roster on Friday.

Spasovski will become the second international player on the Badgers’ roster this fall, joining Spanish guard Alba Martìn Mesa. Both will suit up in Madison this winter as first-time Badgers.

A native of Belgrade, Serbia, Spasovski enters the American basketball scene with a boatload of experience. As a member of basketball club Akson Ilirija, Spasovski registered 9.5 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.2 steals per appearance across 23 games during the 2023-24 season.

Spasovski also helped guide the Serbian National Team to a fourth place finish at the at the 2023 FIBA U20 Women’s European Championship in Lithuania.

The Badgers will bring in five new players entering the 2024-25 season, including Spasovski, Martìn Mesa, walk-on Reese Jaramillo, former Northern Kentucky center Carter McCray and former Duquesne guard Tess Myers.

UW will look to build off its 15-17 record from2023-2024. Wisconsin clinched a berth to the WNIT a season ago, its first postseason appearance in over 10 years.

Wisconsin women’s basketball offers top-100 class of 2025 guard

Wisconsin women’s basketball offers top-100 class of 2025 guard

Wisconsin women’s basketball extended an offer to top-100 class of 2025 guard Camille Williams on Friday.

The 6-foot combo guard is currently ranked No. 98 in the ESPNW 100. The Boswell High School product is considered a four-star recruit and rated at a 91 on a scale of 1 to 100.

Williams has been active on Nike’s Girl’s Elite Youth Basketball League circuit this summer. The rising senior racked up multiple 20-point performances during the EYBL Nationals last week.

During her junior season, Williams averaged 19.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 3.5 steals per game in 41 appearances for Boswell.

Since the beginning of May, Williams has earned offers from North Texas, California, Wisconsin, Miami (Florida), Fairfield, Arkansas, Davidson, Tulsa, Fresno State, Omaha, Pacific and Southern Alabama. The list will surely expand as she continues her AAU activity this summer and beyond.

Wisconsin appears to be directing more of its focus on top-tier talent in the recruiting world since Marisa Moseley became the Badgers’ head coach.

UW will welcome Alie Bisballe, Reese Jaramillo and Gracie Grzesk for their first years in Madison this fall alongside international players Alba Martín Mesa and Jovana Spasovski.

WATCH: Wisconsin women’s basketball star shines with USA Basketball

WATCH: Wisconsin women’s basketball star shines with USA Basketball

Wisconsin women’s basketball star Serah Williams shined during Stop 2 in the 2024 U23 Nations League Americas conference in Mexico City, Mexico on July 23.

Williams’ 2024 USA 3×3 Nations League team, which also includes Christina Dalce (University of Maryland), Morgan Maly (Creighton University), Cotie McMahon (Ohio State University), Lucy Olsen (University of Iowa) and Mikaylah Williams (LSU), went 3-0 on Tuesday with wins over the Caymen Islands, Argentina and Mexico.

During her final contest, Wisconsin’s Serah Williams and LSU’s Mikaylah Williams combined for 15 of the team’s 21 points in the 21-18 triumph over Mexico. The Brooklyn native iced the game from the charity stripe as well.

Both the men and women continued their play during Stop 3 of the 3×3  U23 Nations League  on Wednesday.

Last Friday, Williams’ represented Wisconsin at the WNBA All-Star weekend. The Badger, alongside her Nations League roster, tipped off against the 2024 National Team of Rhyne Howard, Cierra Burdick, Dearica Hamby and Hailey Van Lith in Phoenix.

Williams’ strong showing is certainly a welcome sign for Wisconsin women’s basketball fans during the team’s offseason. The junior will look to lead Marisa Mosley’s crew during her fourth season monitoring the sidelines in Madison.

WATCH: Wisconsin women’s basketball leaders gearing up for 2024-25 campaign

WATCH: Wisconsin women’s basketball upperclassmen gearing up for 2024-25 campaign

Wisconsin’s women’s basketball team showcased upperclassmen Serah Williams, Halle Douglass and Natalie Leuzinger in their first practice footage of the offseason on Tuesday.

Wisconsin kick-started its offseason practices weeks ago, but the Badgers had yet to display their three longest tenured players honing in on their skills this summer.

Williams, a junior from Brooklyn, New York, registered a team-best 17.4 points per appearance during her 2023-24 season. She also took home 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of Year honors and earned 2024 Big Ten First Team nods during her sophomore season.

Leuzinger, a graduate student, averaged 7.7 points and 9.5 minutes per game in 2023-24, while Douglass played in 25 games and posted 3.8 points per contest.

As a team, the Badgers will participate in the 2024 Cancun Challenge from Nov. 28-30 alongside Providence, San Diego State, VCU, BYU, Idaho State, Iowa, Rhode Island, Rice and Vermont.

Wisconsin will also host eight Big Ten opponents, including new conference foes UCLA and USC. Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Northwestern, Ohio State, Minnesota and Rutgers round out that list.

Away games against Washington, Oregon, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan State, Nebraska, Purdue and Minnesota are also on UW’s horizon.

While Williams, Douglass and Leuzinger will serve as this crew’s veteran trio, UW will welcome four new players this fall. International guard Alba Martin Mesa, walk-on Reese Jaramillo, former Northern Kentucky center Carter McCray and former Duquesne guard Tess Myers will play their first games as Badgers during the 2024-25 slate.

Marisa Moseley’s group will look to build off its 15-17 mark and Great 8 appearance in the WNIT last season.

Wisconsin women’s basketball forward to participate in 3×3 action during WNBA All-Star weekend

Wisconsin women’s basketball forward to participate in 3×3 action during WNBA All-Star weekend

Wisconsin women’s basketball forward Serah Williams will take on the 2024 USA Basketball 3×3 Women’s National Team in an exhibition on Friday at WNBA All-Star weekend.

The contest marks the debut of 3×3 basketball at a WNBA All-Star weekend. The 2024 National Team of Rhyne Howard, Cierra Burdick, Dearica Hamby and Hailey Van Lith are set to tip off against the six-woman 2024 USA 3×3 Nations League roster.

Announced on July 5, that roster includes Williams (University of Wisconsin-Madison), Christina Dalce (University of Maryland), Morgan Maly (Creighton University), Cotie McMahon (Ohio State University), Lucy Olsen (University of Iowa) and Mikaylah Williams (LSU).

Following this weekend’s event, Williams and Co. will travel to Mexico City to play in the 2024 USA 3×3 Women’s Nations League Americas Conference July 22-28 in Mexico City.

There, the Americans will look to qualify USA Basketball for the FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup 2024 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Unlike five-on-five, 3×3 is staged on a half-court with a 10-minute game clock and 12-second shot clock. The first squad to reach 21 points via 1-point and 2-point field goals is considered the winner.

Play is also continuous, as teams are required to clear the ball behind the 2-point line to establish possession.

Coverage will begin at 9:00 p.m. ET on Friday on ESPN.

NCAA committees propose new first contest dates for D-I basketball seasons

NCAA committees propose new first contest dates for D-I basketball seasons

The NCAA’s Division I Men’s and Women’s Basketball Oversight Committees proposed new first contest dates starting in 2025-26 on Thursday.

As of July 18, the 2025-26 season will commence on Tuesday, Nov. 11 for both men and women. The proposed alteration would move the first game of the season to Nov. 5 for the D-I men and Nov. 3 for the D-I women.

Not only would this blueprint standardize the college basketball campaign to 22 weeks each year, but it would also stagger first contest dates for the men and women to overcome television roadblocks and venue issues.

The Women’s Basketball Oversight Committee also believes switching first game days will provide D-I women’s basketball extra marketing exposure, per NCAA Associate Director of Communications Greg Johnson.

As of the 2024-25 season, both the men’s and women’s campaigns range between 21 and 22 weeks. This proposal would ultimately eliminate fluctuating timetables and provide stability regardless of championship schedules.

The committees have manufactured an outline for what the ensuing six seasons of NCAA Division I basketball could look like in their proposal. In each year, the women would begin their seasons two days earlier than the men.

Wisconsin’s men’s basketball team kick-started its 2023-24 season on Nov. 6 last year while Marisa Moseley’s crew began their slate on Nov. 7. Both games were held at the Kohl Center.