Lenae Williams Named Preseason All-Conference USA
10/24/2001 12:00:00 AM | WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
CHICAGO - DePaul senior forward Lenae Williams has been selected by Conference USA coaches to the league's preseason team while the Blue Demons were picked seventh. With the expansion to 14 Conference USA teams this year, there will be one division instead of two as in previous seasons.
"Lenae Williams used to be 'just' a three-point shooter," said DePaul head coach Doug Bruno. "She has raised her game to the point of being one of the best overall guards in the country."
Three-time Conference USA Tournament champion Tulane was picked to win the league followed by Louisville, TCU and Cincinnati. UAB's Deanna Jackson was chosen as Preseason Player of the Year for the second straight season after being named an All-American last year.
Williams receives preseason honors for the second consecutive season after being named second-team All-C-USA last year. She has already established herself as one of the most prolific shooters in DePaul and C-USA history with 237 career three-pointers. Williams finished the 2000-01 campaign ranked first in the league in three-point field goals per game (2.45), second in free throw percentage (.827) and third in scoring (18.2 ppg).
"Lenae is truly one of the best players in Conference USA," continued Bruno. "She is a legitimate contender for C-USA Player of the Year and a legitimate All-American candidate."
2001-02 Conference USA Preseason Poll
1. Tulane
2. Louisville
3. TCU
4. Cincinnati
5. Houston
6. UAB
7. DePaul
8. Marquette
9. Memphis
10. Southern Miss
11. Charlotte
12. Saint Louis
13. East Carolina
14. South Florida
Preseason All-Conference Team
Deanna Jackson - UAB (Player of the Year)
Sr., F, Brewton, Ala.
Chandi Jones - Houston
So., G/F, Bay City, Texas
Valerie King - Cincinnati
So., G, Washington Court House, Ohio
Teana McKiver - Tulane
Jr., C, Beulaville, N.C.
Sara Nord - Louisville
So., G, Jeffersonville, Ind.
Lenae Williams - DePaul
Sr., F, Addison, Ill.