Former Red Flash star player and assistant women’s basketball coach Alli Williams decided in May that she would continue her basketball career overseas after coaching at her alma mater for two seasons. 

Williams served as a graduate assistant coach at SFU in 2018-19, before being hired as a full-time assistant coach last season.

After graduating from Saint Francis in 2014, Williams played professionally in Greece, Germany and Luxembourg before returning to Loretto to coach. The team in Luxembourg invited her back to play again this season.

She said that the chance to teach the game and watch it from a different angle from the bench will help her succeed in her return to the court as a player.

“I didn’t really expect to ever play professionally again, so I am just very grateful for the opportunity,” said Williams. “It’s like riding a bike – it’s difficult to forget and easy to recall.”

Williams said she has been working hard all summer, preparing for her return to the professional game. She has already played four scrimmages in Luxembourg since arriving in the country in early August. 

“I played for this club in the past, so it’s really nice that I am already familiar with the area and the team. It’s almost like nothing has changed.”

Williams was named to the NEC All-Decade Team earlier this year. She is one of 11 players in NCAA Division I history to record 2,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 300 steals. 

“Recruits want to know that they can have an opportunity to play professionally, and coming from a smaller school like SFU, this shows them that they can play here and make their future dreams come true,” said Red Flash head coach Keila Whittington.