Debutante Williams ready to push the play button for Galatasaray

ISTANBUL (Turkey) - If you expected the in-form Courtney Williams to have been left frustrated by Galatasaray missing out on their first EuroLeague Women hub in Sopron, then think again.

You would be forgiven for expecting the livewire guard to have been upset at being denied her debut in the competition earlier this month, but the delayed return of the Istanbul giants has only heightened her appetite to lead the club's return to the top table of European club basketball.

"THERE IS A DIFFERENCE WHEN YOU ARE PLAYING FOR A CLUB LIKE GALATASARAY. YOU SENSE IT." -Williams

 Having not featured in EuroLeague Women during the past couple of seasons, Galatasaray had their reintegration put on ice due to being hit by the coronavirus, but now they are looking forward to facing Sopron in a double header on the road.

"I think missing the hub was a blessing in disguise," insisted Williams.

"We have been able to get people healthier, since as well as the virus, we also had some players with injuries and so now we can give it our best shot - fully together, as a team."

In truth, it has been a bitter-sweet experience for Williams at her new club.

Her scorching early season displays in the Turkish League have cemented her as an instant hit with the club's supporters, although she has not been able to experience the legendary fanbase in person due to the coronavirus restrictions.

"This is a great club that is known for its amazing fans and I wish I could have experienced them more inside the arenas so far," revealed Williams.

"That's because they have already showed me so much love on social media. It has proven what a big club this is and what expectations everyone has."

In fact, one of the most potent and alluring draws of pulling on the famous Galatasaray jersey is that need to deliver every time you step out claimed Williams.

She explained: "There is a difference when you are playing for a club like Galatasaray. You sense it and feel it together as a group of players.

"I have been on teams where people take it as it comes - win or lose. But here, everyone is so focused, from the coach and right through the players on winning and being successful. It is not pressure as I see it, it is more having that expectation to be the best."

With Sopron Basket having won both Group D games in the first hub, Williams and her teammates will certainly get a stiff test when they step onto the floor in Hungary - something she is acutely aware of.

"We have to play our basketball and make sure that we play the way that we are supposed to play," she insisted. 

"I guess we will see in that first game what it is going to be like, because both teams will then make the necessary adjustments in the second game. For me, I am always ready whatever the competition. It might be my first game, but I am always more focused on just playing ball and whatever lies in front of me."

It will be interesting for Williams in more ways that one, since she will see some a familiar face at the Novomatic Arena, in the shape of WNBA colleague Glory Johnson from the Atlanta Dream.

"Once it's time to go onto the floor, everything else goes out of the window - and I am sure she feels the same way," laughed Williams.

"Plus, they also have so many threats and other WNBA talent such as Brianna January and especially Gabby Williams who has been playing well. But we have our own talents and the likes of Anete [Steinberga], Zofia [Hruscakova] , Quanitra [Hollingsworth] and Mercedes [Russell] have all been playing well too, so we will be ready for them."

Galatasaray will play Sopron Basket on Tuesday, December 15 and Thursday, December 17.

FIBA