Getting to Know Danielle Williams
1/6/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 6, 2016
Junior Danielle Williams is serving as captain this year alongside her classmate, Siera Thompson. Williams is best known for her defense and rebounding on the court. She has appeared in all 13 games this season, starting twice. Williams grew up with a twin sister, Dominique, who is currently playing basketball at UCLA. She talks about life with and without her twin sister, living in an area that experiences all four seasons and what being a captain has been like for her.
Q. How did you start playing basketball?
A. I grew up watching my older sister and brother play basketball. I was so excited when my opportunity finally came around. We (Danielle and her twin sister, Dominique) had watched them play for so long that we just naturally knew what to do when we got out there. I had to have been pretty young, like five or six, when I started playing.
Q. You are known for your defense, which is different because most people just want to score. How did that happen?
A. My high school and my AAU coach, he really emphasized the fundamentals of defense. As a team, we always played really good team defense. We pressed a lot. I think that is where it came from, him putting such a value on defense.
Q. What do you like about being able to shut down a player offensively?
A. I think that you can change a game by stopping the other team's best player. Offense is very important and if you can take them out of their element and what they want to do, it can mess up their game plan. You can then make other people do things they aren't used to doing.
Q. What was it like growing up with a twin?
A. It was crazy. I don't really know anything different. People were amazed when they saw us. They would ask if we were twins, if we were identical, what is it. The confusion you see in people's faces when they look at you and then look at the other face is funny. Yes, we are twins. After a while, we would just say "yes" before someone could even ask the question. It is great because it is a built-in best friend. I think now that I am not with her and going to school with her, I have had to be out of my shell more because I don't have that person who is always right there.
Q. What was it like growing up with a twin? When did you guys realize and then deal with the fact that you and Dominique were going to end up at different schools?
A. We had decided from the beginning of the process that we were each going to make the decision for ourselves, no matter what. We were recruited by basically all the same schools, other than UCLA. I knew when she went on her visit there that she really, really liked UCLA. I really liked Michigan when I came out here. We waited a little while but one day, when we were getting ready, we had a talk. I told her that if she wanted to go there, then go there and she said the same thing to me. We walked out of the house and told our dad that we were going to commit that day. He kind of knew that was coming. We called our mom and then we each made our calls to commit.
Q. Why Michigan?
A. Why not Michigan? I honestly believe it is one of the greatest universities. It had everything I wanted in terms of academics. After I really thought about what I wanted to do when I graduated, Michigan had the best opportunities for me. Also, the people here. I think people matter and that plays such a big role in how you grow as a person. Everyone is amazing, from our academic people to the girls on the team to the coaches. They really care about you as a person and want you to grow, both on and off the court.
Q. What are your plans for after graduation?
A. I am trying to figure that out right now. I am thinking law school or grad school right now. Probably something where I interact and work with people, in some way or form.
Q. What is your favorite place on campus?
A. That is tough. I think the Law Quad is nice. But I really like when you walk down State Street and see South University as the seasons change. You can see the leaves the changing, which is so basic. But being from Arizona, you don't get to see that. It is the same in that area when the snow is falling too. Campus is just so pretty.
Q. Being from Arizona, how did you adjust to the cold weather?
A. I think the first winter was a little rough. I am still not great at wearing jackets but I went to a high school where I had to wear a uniform my whole life so wearing real clothes and being able to change with the seasons is nice for me. That helps me a little bit.
Q. What is it like being a captain?
A. I think it is a great honor, especially because you are chosen by your teammates and your coaches. It is a daily challenge. You never know what you are going to need to do to help the team on that particular day. I think of my role as doing whatever I can to help the team, whether that is on the court or off the court. It is making sure your teammates are okay, which can also just mean making sure you are on point. It makes you hold yourself accountable and to a high standard because everyone else is looking to you. I think it has helped me grow and see things in a different light. Being able to work with Siera (Thompson) has been great.
Q. Why did you pick No. 20?
A. My sister and I decided that we were going to be No. 20 when we went to school. I had been No. 3 my whole life but that was taken when I got here. Briann January, who played for Arizona State, helped our team growing up. She is really into defense and was a great defensive player, as well as a great offensive player. She is in the WNBA now and plays for the Indiana Fever. We are still pretty good friends. She is a really good inspiration for us and a great person, so we picked her number.
Q. What do you like to bring to the team?
A. I think it depends on the day. I like to bring energy and enthusiasm. I obviously bring defense and rebounding. But mostly, I like to make sure people really understand that playing college basketball is a process. It is not always easy but I try to keep them positive and confident. I have such great belief in every single one of the girls on this team, whether they are playing 40 minutes a game or 10 minutes a game. I see the ability and potential in all of them, even if they can't see that in themselves. I want to keep people in the right mindset, keep everyone on the same page and keep us doing everything we can to win and improve.
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