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Top 20 Players | #8 – Tamika Williams

Efficiency is a valuable thing in basketball, and in all of Lynx history there may not have been a more efficient player than Tamika Williams.

The 6’2 forward had an outstanding career with the University of Connecticut Huskies, finishing her time there with an insane 70.3 shooting percentage, a school and NCAA record. She did so while scoring 10.6 points per game as well.

The Lynx took notice and made Williams the sixth pick in the 2002 WNBA Draft. She joined a Lynx squad led by Katie Smith looking to make the playoffs for the first time in team history. They did so in 2003, reaching the postseason where they faced the Los Angeles Sparks in the first round. Though the series didn’t go the Lynx’s way, Williams single handedly delivered the Lynx their first ever victory in a playoff game.

With the score tied up at 72 with 9.8 seconds remaining in Game 1 of the series and the Sparks inbounding the ball, Williams picked off the inbounds pass for a fast-break basket, sealing the victory for the Lynx. It was the culmination of a highly successful year for Williams. Also in 2003, she set a WNBA record for field goal accuracy in a season, with a percentage of 66.8.

Williams played with the Lynx for six seasons before being traded prior to the 2008 WNBA season. She doesn’t have the name recognition of some of the other Lynx stars, but her legacy is strong. You could say Williams was the creator of a very important Lynx tradition—winning playoff games.

  • Seattle Storm v Minnesota Lynx

    MINNEAPOLIS - JUNE 26: Tamika Williams #20 of the Minnesota Lynx fights for position under the basket against Lauren Jackson #15 of the Seattle Storm on June 26, 2005 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and /or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement: Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo By David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  • Seattle Storm v Minnesota Lynx

    MINNEAPOLIS - JUNE 26: Tamika Williams #20 of the Minnesota Lynx fights for the rebound against the Seattle Storm on June 26, 2005 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and /or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement: Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo By David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  • Minnesota Lynx at Connecticut Sun

    UNCASVILLE, CT - JUNE 30: Tamika Williams #20 on the Minnesota Lynx goes up for a shot in the game between the Connecticut Sun and Minnesota Lynx at Mohegan Sun Arena on June 30, 2005 in Uncasville, Connecticut. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  • Detroit Shock v Minnesota Lynx

    MINNEAPOLIS - JULY 13: Tamika Williams #20 of the Minnesota Lynx shoots against Barbara Farris #54 and Deanna Nolan #14 of the Detroit Shock July 13, 2005 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and /or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  • Detroit Shock v Minnesota Lynx

    MINNEAPOLIS - JULY 13: (L-R) Tamika Williams and Kristen Mann #44 of the Minnesota Lynx on the bench against the Detroit Shock July 13, 2005 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Lynx won 71-61. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and /or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement: Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  • Minnesota Lynx's Annual Great Basketball Dribble

    MINNEAPOLIS - AUGUST 7: Tamika Williams #20 of the Minnesota Lynx signs autographs at the Minnesota Lynx's 7th Annual Great Basketball Dribble to benefit breast cancer research in Minnesota on August 7, 2005 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and /or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement: Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo By David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  • Minnesota Lynx Reading Time Out with WNBA President Donna Orender

    MINNEAPOLIS - AUGUST 8: (R-L) WNBA President Donna Orender, Head Coach Suzie McConnell Serio and Tamika Williams #20 of the Minnesota Lynx host a Reading Time Out for children from the Downtown Minneapolis YMCA on August 8, 2005 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and /or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement: Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo By David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  • Minnesota Lynx Reading Time Out with WNBA President Donna Orender

    MINNEAPOLIS - AUGUST 8: Tamika Williams #20 of the Minnesota Lynx reads to children from the Downtown Minneapolis YMCA during a Reading Time Out on August 8, 2005 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and /or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement: Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo By David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  • Minnesota Lynx Reading Time Out with WNBA President Donna Orender

    MINNEAPOLIS - AUGUST 8: Tamika Williams #20 of the Minnesota Lynx reads to children from the Downtown Minneapolis YMCA during a Reading Time Out on August 8, 2005 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and /or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement: Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo By David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  • Minnesota Lynx Team Portrait

    MINNEAPOLIS - AUGUST 15: Minnesota Lynx players coaches, team chief operating officer and training staff pose for their annual team portrait on August 15, 2005 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They include, back row (L-R), athletic trainer Alisha Hvistendahl, Amber Jacobs #23, Stacey Thomas #11, Jacqueline Batteast #21, Kristen Mann #44, Vanessa Hayden #55, Nicole Ohlde #3, Stacey Lovelace #5, Amanda Lassiter #24, Chandi Jones #13, front row (L-R) Kristi Harrower #8, Tamika Williams # 20, assistant coach Carolyn Jenkins, team chief operating officer Roger Griffith, head coach Suzie McConnell Serio, assistant coach Nancy Darsch, Svetlana Abrosimova #25, and Tynesha Lewis #1. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and /or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement: Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo By David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  • Minnesota Lynx Team Portrait

    MINNEAPOLIS - AUGUST 15: Minnesota Lynx players pose for their annual team portrait on August 15, 2005 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Front row (L-R) Stacey Thomas #11, Tynesha Lewis #1, Kristi Harrower #8, Chandi Jones #13, second row (L-R) Tamika Williams #20, Amanda Lassiter #24, Kristen Mann #44, Amber Jacobs #23, Svetlana Abrosimova #25, back row (L-R) Jacqueline Batteast #21, Vanessa Hayden #55, Stacey Lovelace #5, and Nicole Ohlde #3. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and /or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement: Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo By David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  • Sacramento Monarchs v Minnesota Lynx

    MINNEAPOLIS - AUGUST 27: Tamika Williams #20 of the Minnesota Lynx goes up for the jump shot against the Sacramento Monarchs on August 27, 2005 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and /or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement: Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2005 NBAE (Photo By David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  • Connecticut Sun v Minnesota Lynx

    MINNEAPOLIS - MAY 23: Tamika Williams #20 of the Minnesota Lynx smiles as she goes to the line against the Connecticut Sun on May 23, 2006 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and /or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement: Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2006 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  • Connecticut Sun v Minnesota Lynx

    MINNEAPOLIS - MAY 23: Tamika Williams #20 of the Minnesota Lynx drives to the basket against the Connecticut Sun on May 23, 2006 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and /or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement: Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2006 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  • Minnesota Lynx v Washington Mystics

    WASHINGTON - MAY 27: Tamika WIlliams #20 of the Minnesota Lynx shoots against Coco Miller #9 of the Washington Mystics during their WNBA game on May 27, 2006 at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2006 NBAE (Photo by Mitchell Layton/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  • Los Angeles Sparks v Minnesota Lynx

    MINNEAPOLIS - MAY 31: Tamika Williams #20 of the Minnesota Lynx takes a shot against Jessica Moore #31 of the Los Angeles Sparks on May 31, 2006 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and /or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement: Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2006 NBAE (Photo By David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  • Los Angeles Sparks v Minnesota Lynx

    MINNEAPOLIS - MAY 31: Tamika Williams #34 of the Minnesota Lynx looks on during the game against the Los Angeles Sparks on May 31, 2006 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2006 NBAE (Photo By Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  • Los Angeles Sparks v Minnesota Lynx

    MINNEAPOLIS - MAY 31: Tamika Williams #20 of the Minnesota Lynx looks to make her move against Lisa Leslie #9 of the Los Angeles Sparks on May 31, 2006 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2006 NBAE (Photo By Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  • Los Angeles Sparks v Minnesota Lynx

    MINNEAPOLIS - MAY 31: Lisa Willis #40 of the Los Angeles Sparks fights for position with Tamika Williams #20 of the Minnesota Lynx on May 31, 2006 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTICE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and /or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement: Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2006 NBAE (Photo By David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

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