Mikaylah Williams better build a sturdy trophy case, because the awards are already starting to roll in. 

The senior at Parkway High School in Bossier City, Louisiana, led her team to the 5A state title game last year and was named Miss Basketball by the Louisiana Sports Writers Association. Then, in August, Williams won her second FIBA 3x3 U18 Women’s World Cup in a row with the USA 3x3 U18 Women’s National Team, and for the second year in a row she was honored as tournament MVP. Her golden summer began a month prior as a member of the team that won gold at the FIBA U17 Women’s World Cup (5-on-5).

Williams, a 6-foot guard, can now add another trophy to the case after being named USA Basketball’s 3x3 Athlete of the Year.

“For our 3x3 programs to be successful, it takes the dedication of players like Mikaylah Williams, who led her team to a fourth consecutive FIBA 3x3 U18 gold medal,” USA Basketball CEO Jim Tooley said. “As a two-time 3x3 U18 World Cup MVP, Mikaylah is so very deserving of this honor.”

The U.S. dominated the 2022 World Cup in Debrecen, Hungary, outscoring opponents 142-73, and Williams was clinical throughout. She led the U.S. in points in all but one game, leading her team to a 7-0 record and what is a fourth straight 3x3 U18 World Cup title for the American women.  

Williams was especially dominant in the final against Germany. Her game-high nine points were almost enough to beat the Germans alone, as the Americans comfortably won 21-11.

Williams led the World Cup with 59 points, nine ahead of the second place Alicia Florez of Spain. 

Head coach Nick LoGalbo had high praise for the MVP. 

“It has been an incredible honor to be a part of Mikaylah’s journey. Seeing her development over the past few years and her growth not only as an elite player, but as a leader, has been truly special,” said LoGalbo, who was named USA Basketball’s 3x3 Coach of the Year. “We challenged her to be more than the unstoppable scorer that we all know she is. We challenged her to be an elite defender and to lead, and once it was clear that she owned that responsibility I don’t think there was too much anybody could do to stop us.

“Her energy was contagious, her confidence was unwavering, her performances were dominant and her leadership was genuine and impactful. In my opinion, she is going to be a household name, if she is not already. She is one of one and very deserving of the USA Basketball 3x3 Athlete of the Year.”

LoGalbo’s prediction is looking accurate already. Outside of USA Basketball, Williams is ranked as the top women’s basketball recruit in the country for the Class of 2023. She has one more season of high school basketball to finish before she jets off to Louisiana State University, where she committed back in June.

The 3x3 Athlete of the Year honor is one of several end-of-season USA Basketball awards being announced throughout the month.    

Sean Shapiro is a freelance contributor for USAB.com on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.