THUNDER BAY – Jylisa Williams only spent a season-and-a-half in a Lakehead Thunderwolves uniform.
But her accomplishments still reverberate today.
Williams, who arrived in Thunder Bay in 2013 and was forced to sit half a season because of OUA eligibility requirements, was a tour-de-force in her short time with the T-Wolves.
She set a league record with 50 points in a game against Toronto in 2015 on the way to OUA and CIS player of the year honours, a Lakehead first.
On Wednesday she was named one of the 100 best Canadian collegiate women’s basketball players of all time.
It’s a well-deserved honour, said Thunderwolves coach Jon Kreiner.
“The first year, we knew what we had, we had a special player. But in her second year, it was one of the most enjoyable, fun things to witness and watch each and every night,” Kreiner said.
“Scoring that 50-point game in that game against Toronto, at the end of the year, in my mind, she was the best player that I’ve ever seen live. So it doesn’t surprise me (she’s on the list), but it’s still an amazing accomplishment, especially since she only played here for two years.”
Williams’ path to Thunder Bay wasn’t an easy one.
The Atlanta native began her college career at Georgia State in 2008-09, but left midway through her sophomore season. She wound up in Alaska, spending two years in the United States Army, before enrolling at Alberta’s Olds College, where she spent a single season in 2012-13.
As a rookie at Georgia State, she averaged 10.5 points a game, 18th best in her conference.
It was in Thunder Bay, however, where Williams began to really shine.
In her first game with the team, on Jan. 10, 2014 against Waterloo, she poured in 39 points and went on to lead the Wolves with a 20.2 points-per-game average over 12 games, Lakehead winning eight of its final 12 games that season before being knocked out in the first round by McMaster.
Williams was absolutely dominant in Season No. 2.
She topped 40 points twice, 30 points seven times, and only twice all season was she held to less than 20 points. She finished with a 28.8 points-per-game average, 9.3 rebounds a night and 3.4 assists a game, and took LU all the way to the OUA semifinal, where a questionable elbow by a Windsor defender landed her on the sidelines with a concussion.
Kreiner said he’s had some special players over the years, including former OUA player of the year Leashja Grant, but none compare to Williams.
“She was phenomenal. She was a player that led the league in scoring easily, but only making 2-for-10 all year, in the age of the three-point shot. Her defence, her intensity, her ability to pass the basketball ... she was willing and able to do all the things and had the tools to do all the thing necessary to win a basketball team,” Kreiner said.
“She just really elevated a team that was probably a very average team to an elite level.”
Lakehead athletic director Tom Warden said it’s a fantastic honour for both Williams and the school.
“We’ve had a lot of good athletes come and go. There’s no question that she was special. We moved a few rules around to put her in our wall of fame as soon as we could. I think we realized how special she was ... I think it’s a huge honour for her and just a testament to the talent that she has.
Williams continued her career overseas, but injuries forced her to retire.
She currently works in hospital admissions in Atlanta.
The top 100 list, celebrating 100 years of Canadian Collegiate basketball, was selected by a panel of women’s basketball coaches and partners.
