Ex-UM basketball star charged with domestic assault
Former University of Miami women’s basketball star Riquna “BayBay” Williams, now a guard with the Los Angeles Sparks, was arrested Monday and is being held in Palm Beach County Jail on $20,000 bond over an alleged violent December altercation with an ex-girlfriend in Pahokee.
According to ESPN and WPTV, which first reported the story, Williams was charged with “burglary with assault or battery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill.”
The arrest report says that on Dec. 6, 2018, Williams showed up at 780 Rickey Jackson Blvd. and repeatedly hit the front door with a skateboard. She then forced her way into the home of ex-girlfriend Alkeria Davis, hit her in the head several times and pulled her hair. After a man at the home broke up the fight, Williams allegedly went to her car, grabbed a gun, pointed it at him and said, “you’ll get all 18.” She then sped away.
Davis told police she and Williams had dated on and off for five years and broke up a month earlier.
Williams, 28, is a six-year veteran in the WNBA, was a 2015 All-Star with the Tulsa Shock, and in 2013 was named the WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year. She averaged 7.1 points in 33 games for the Sparks.
She attended UM from 2008-12. Williams was the school’s fifth-leading alltime scorer with 2,148 points and helped lead the Hurricanes to the ACC championship. But her college career ended on a bad note. Her teammates voted to leave Williams home from the 2012 NCAA Tournament for “conduct detrimental to the team,” and the third-seeded Hurricanes lost to Gonzaga in the second round. She remained estranged from the program for some time, but had reconnected the past few years.
The WNBA said it is aware of the situation, but has not issued a formal comment.
EIGHT TO JOIN UM SPORTS HALL OF FAME
Every year, University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame executive director John Routh hopes the Hurricanes will keep finding stellar athletes to honor among the best of the best.
And every year, of course, it happens.
Another group of former UM greats will be celebrated at 7 p.m. on Thursday at the 51st UMSHOF induction ceremony at Jungle Island.
The inductees include former football players Antrel Rolle (2001-04), Vince Wilfork (2001-03), Stephen McGuire (1989-92) and Scott Nicolas (1978-81); basketball star Constantin Popa (1991-95); former pitching great Cesar Carrillo (2004-05); 10-time track and field All-American Tabia Charles Collins (2004-06); and for the first time, a rower, Dr. Jenny Krawec (2001-04).
“It’s an honor again for us to induct another outstanding group of former student-athletes,’’ Routh said. “The evening will be very special for them as they join the fraternity of the greatest athletes to ever wear the orange, green and white.’’
Also being honored with the President’s Distinguished Service Award will be UM broadcasters Joe Zagacki and Don Bailey Jr.