Aug. 1, 2011
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By Doug Richards
UCFAthletics.com
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - UCF women's basketball head coach Joi Williams helped the United States claim the FIBA U19 World Championship gold medal Sunday in Puerto Montt, Chile. Williams served as an assistant coach and helped guide the U.S. squad to a 69-46 victory over Spain to earn the gold medal.
Williams, who guided UCF to the 2011 Conference USA Championship title and a spot in the NCAA Tournament, is no stranger to success on the international level. Last summer, she helped the U.S. team win the gold medal at the FIBA Americas U18 Championship in Colorado Springs, Colo.
In Chile, the U.S. squad went 8-1 overall. The U.S., which also defeated Spain in the 2009 U19 gold medal game, has won four-consecutive U19 titles.
Hartford's Jennier Rizzotti served as the team's head coach, and Florida State's Sue Semrau worked as an assistant coach alongside Williams.
The U.S. team consisted of high school and college standouts who are 19 years old or younger.
Williams is entering her fifth season at UCF. In 2010-11, she led the Knights to a 22-11 overall mark and a 12-4 record in league play. UCF won 11 of its last 12 games. Williams also guided the Knights to the NCAA Tournament in 2009 after her team claimed the C-USA Championship crown.