Kiana Williams
Kiana Williams is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association and for Botaş SK of the Turkish Super League. She was drafted 18th overall by the Seattle Storm in the 2021 WNBA draft after playing college basketball at Stanford.
College career
Senior season
In her senior season, Williams was named an All-American by the United States Basketball Writers Association, Associated Press, and Women's Basketball Coaches Association. In the 2021 Pac-12 Conference women's basketball tournament, she put up 26 points in the championship match and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.With the 2021 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament being held in her hometown San Antonio, Williams helped lead the Cardinal to their first national championship since 1992 and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player in the Alamo Region. After winning the national championship, Williams and her Stanford teammates donated the ping-pong table the university bought for them in the tournament bubble to the Eastside Boys and Girls Club, where the San Antonio native Williams had spent time growing up.
Williams declared for the WNBA draft at the end of the season, finishing her collegiate career at the program's career 3-point leader and did not miss a game, starting 128 consecutive games over her career.
Professional career
WNBA
First and second stints with the Seattle Storm (2021–2022)
Williams was drafted by the Seattle Storm in the second round of the 2021 WNBA draft with the 18th overall pick. Considered a longshot to make the Storm roster with one of the deepest backcourts in the WNBA, Williams made the final roster for the opening game of the 2021 season. She was released from the Seattle Storm roster on June 28, 2021.On March 1, 2022, Williams signed a training camp contract with the Phoenix Mercury prior to the 2022 WNBA season. She was ultimately released at the end of training camp and did not make the roster.
Williams signed a hardship contract with the Storm on May 27, 2022, and played 3 games with the Storm before being released from her hardship.
Connecticut Sun (2022)
On July 27, 2022, Williams signed a 7-Day Contract with the Connecticut Sun. She played in one game before being released.On February 4, 2023, Williams signed a training camp contract with the Minnesota Lynx. On May 8, she was waived by the Lynx and did not make the roster.
Third stint with the Seattle Storm (2024)
On February 23, 2024, Williams signed a training camp contract with the Storm and made the final roster. On July 2, 2024, she was waived by the Storm. On July 5, 2024, she was re-signed by the team to a seven-day contract and then to a second one on July 14. Upon its expiration on August 18, Williams was released by the Storm.Phoenix Mercury (2025–present)
Williams signed with the Phoenix Mercury on a rest-of-season contract on June 26, 2025. On July 10, she was waived by the Mercury, but she was re-signed by the team to a seven-day contract on July 15 and the signed a second seven-day contract on July 22. She signed her third seven-day contract with the Mercury only on August 13 and upon its expiration on August 20 she signed a rest-of-season contract with the team.Overseas
On October 25, 2021 she signed with the Adelaide Lightning of the Women's National Basketball League.Williams played for Hefei of the Women's Chinese Basketball Association during the 2024–25 season.
Williams signed with Botaş SK of the Turkish Super League for the 2025–26 season.