The Las Vegas Aces added to their offseason haul with the addition of Riquana Williams.
Williams comes over to Vegas with eight years of WNBA experience, most recently with the LA Sparks. And she brings with her a skill set the Aces desperately need: shooting.
Last season Williams drilled 42.2 percent of her threes in the bubble for the Sparks. For her career, she has made 35.8 percent from deep.
Not only does she knock threes down at a high rate, she shoots a lot of threes. Williams attempted 4.9 threes per game in 2020. The Aces, as a team, attempted a WNBA low 11.5 threes per game in 2020.
With Kelsey Plum expected back from injury and prized free agent Chelsea Gray coming to Vegas, the Aces should have three legitimate three point threats in 2021.
The lack of shooting and spacing has plagued the Aces in the playoffs the last two seasons. And while three perimeter threats is not going to put the Aces on the cutting edge of modern basketball, it might be enough to free up more space for A’ja Wilson and Liz Cambage.
But Williams doesn’t come without baggage. In 2018 she was arrested – and ultimately suspended 10 games – for domestic violence. According to police, Williams forced her way into the home of an ex-girlfriend, fought her, then threatened to shoot a man that broke up the fight.
Williams served her suspension in 2019, played in 21 games last season with the Sparks. The charges were eventually dismissed, as Williams completed a diversion program in Florida.