Fenerbahce Safiport star Williams named Defensive Player of the Year
MUNICH (Germany) - Elizabeth Williams has been named the EuroLeague Women Defensive Player of the Year in recognition of her stellar work for Istanbul giants Fenerbahce Safiport.
The center has been a colossus for her team all season long and is about to make an eagerly anticipated Final Four debut. Her defensive capabilities have been at the heart of their success, with Fenerbahce finishing top of Group B with an 11-3 record. They also head into the Final Four on the back of an 11-game winning streak in the competition.
Williams is the leading shot-blocker in the competition and stands head and shoulders above anyone else with 2.5 swats per outing. That has been a difference-maker, with the 28-year-old also a towering presence on the glass with 9.2 rebounds per game.
Having ranked joint-first among coaches, team captains and also media representatives, Williams pipped her namesake Gabby Williams of Sopron Basket, who had won the award last season, with the fan voting proving decisive. ZVVZ USK Praha standout and 2019-20 winner Alyssa Thomas came third overall.
The Euroleague Women Awards recognize the top players and coaches of the 2021-22 campaign, with EuroLeague Women coaches, captains, selected media and fans from all around the world deciding the winners.
EuroLeague Women Defensive Player of the Year Voting
| Player | Club | Coach Voting | Captain Voting | Media Voting | Fan Voting | Overalll |
| Elizabeth Williams | Fenerbahce Safiport | =1st | =1st | =1st | 1st | 1st |
| Gabby Williams | Sopron Basket | =1st | =1st | =1st | 2nd | 2nd |
| Alyssa Thomas | ZVVZ USK Praha | =3rd | =4th | 3rd | 4th | 3rd |
| Olivia Epoupa | BLMA | =3rd | =4th | =4th | 3rd | 4th |
| Natasha Howard | Dynamo Kursk | =3rd | 3rd | =4th | 5th | 5th |
FIBA
