After only winning two of their first 10 games last season, Marist women’s basketball has improved their record to 5-5 overall in 2024, with freshman guard Danielle Williamsen playing a pivotal role thus far.
Williamsen was in the starting lineup in Marist’s first game against Drexel, the first time the Red Foxes started a freshman in their first collegiate game in three years. While she was not expecting to start her first collegiate game, she was certainly excited for the opportunity.
“I was surprised to start,” said Williamsen. “It proved to me that sometimes hard work does pay off.”
Williamsen did not get a lot of opportunities in the season opener, leading to just five points in the team’s 64-53 loss to Drexel. She rose to the occasion three days later in the Red Foxes’ first home game against Cornell, validating head coach Erin Doughty’s decision to have her in the starting five.
The 5’7” guard came into the McCann Arena playing with her family in attendance. Although she struggled in the first half, Williamsen bounced back in the second with 11 points as Marist defeated Cornell 62-56.
“I knew coming to Marist would give my family the chance to come to games. I am happy they get to attend the games,” said Williamsen.
Williamsen’s parents are both Marist alumni and she always thought that playing there could be a possibility. Through a lot of hard work and with the support of her father and trainers, that possibility became a reality.
Williamsen credits her dad for helping her find her path to playing collegiate basketball. Training with him early mornings and late nights when she was a kid made her fall in love with the game.
After training with her dad at the beginning of her basketball career, she found a new trainer Zach Leach. Leach has worked with NBA players like Karl Anthony-Towns and Andrew Wiggins but seems to have a bond with Williamsen that he has not had with any other player.
Williamsen trained with Leach from middle school until her high school career. He helped her make little tweaks in her shot, ultimately leading her to become a more consistent shooter.
“I found my shot from trainers over time but especially my trainer Zach,” said Williamsen. “Zach helped me find a consistent shot but I had to take the steps to consistently work on my shot.”
Doughty credits Williamsen’s work ethic and effort for the improvement in her game. She comes to practice early and works on her shot and because of her hours in the gym, becoming one of the most efficient 3-point shooters on the team and averaging 6.8 points a game through her first 10 collegiate games.
“She was here all summer early in the morning getting shots up,” Doughty said. “She still comes early to watch film with Coach Mo [Crisp].”
Williamsen is an efficient shooter for a team full of shotmakers, who are looking to prove the Marist’s placement in the preseason poll wrong. The Red Foxes were predicted to finish 11th in the MAAC preseason poll which has only fueled the engine for the team.
While the entire team plays with some extra motivation, Williamsen has been doing so throughout her entire basketball career. Whether people have called her too small or overrated, she has learned to embrace the hate and use it as motivation.
“She has that underdog mentality. She plays with a chip on her shoulder. She doesn’t really get frazzled,” Doughty said.
Williamsen exceeded expectations during her high school career. She has a versatile style of play, willing to do whatever her team asks of her to secure a victory. The hard work prepared her to make big plays down the stretch for the team and has helped the team learn how to win games in general.
The freshman showed her confidence in the Red Foxes’ home game against the Yale Bulldogs. In a tight game, Williamsen was fouled and sent to the free-throw line looking to ice the victory. Despite shooting just 1-for-7 from the field, she still had the confidence to knock down the two crucial free throws, giving the Red Foxes a 67-65 win.
“We take a lot of free throws in practice,” said Williamsen. “It is an easy shot and gives you a chance to rest. Obviously, the shot is harder at that moment but you just have to stay confident.”
Williamsen has proven that she deserved her starting spot over the first couple of games of the season. College is much faster paced, but Williamsen’s high school career prepared her for the challenge and now she is thriving for the Red Foxes. She received her starting spot because she came into early practices ready to adjust to the speed of college basketball.
“There were times in our September and October practices where Dani was our best player,” said Doughty.
The Red Foxes are hungry, and with the help of Williamsen, they have a great opportunity to make a statement in conference play and potentially get to Atlantic City.
Edited by Michael Burns and Dan Aulbach
Graphic from Jaylen Rizzo; Photos from Marist Athletics
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No mention of why she has been missing games?