It was just over a year ago when freshman guard Amaya Williams signed her National Letter of Intent with GCU.
Once it was time to commit, a few key non-negotiables helped Williams narrow down her decision. Notably, she wanted a head coach who would get the best out of her.
Naturally, GCU's Molly Miller fit the bill, but months later, the rising head coach announced her transition to ASU. When the opportunity presented itself, Williams didn't have to think twice about following Miller from Phoenix to Tempe.
In the Sun Devils' first month of play, the Mater Dei alum has already recorded three starts, partially filling in for fifth-year guard and LSU transfer Last-Tear Poa, who was recovering from a hand injury suffered during the season opener.
"At Mater Dei, they are very well coached," Miller said, per Sun Devil Athletics. "I think she (Williams) benefited from being at a program like that, because it's tough and they practice like college practices, and I've watched them practice. So in my mind I'm like, 'Yeah, she could come in and make a difference right away.'"
Through her high school career, Williams led Mater Dei to 83 wins in three seasons, going 21-0 in league play.
Miller emphasized how difficult it was to differentiate the freshman's capabilities on the court from those of her upperclassman teammates before the season even started, in a Q&A from Sun Devil Athletics. In her first eight games as a Sun Devil, Williams has come up with 45 points, 21 assists and 10 steals.
Likely Williams' best showing so far came during ASU's matchup against Little Rock on Nov. 28, where she played 30 minutes and led the team in scoring with 18 points.
"(Williams') looking like a true point guard out there," Miller said after the game, per SDA. "She's really good about setting her teammates up and being steady. She doesn't get too sped up, which, for a freshman, that's really impressive."
Now that she's had time on the court, Williams is full of confidence. So far, Miller's been exactly the type of coach she had hoped for.
"Her having trust in me as a freshman, I just believe is the best thing anyone could ask for," Williams said. "It just makes me have more trust in my ability, and (it makes) me more confident in my game."
Throughout her basketball career so far, one of Williams' biggest fans has been her dad, Steven Williams.
He fully supported his daughter's choice to play under Miller at ASU, and he attributes her success so far to a few different factors.
"She's had a lot of good coaches, she's played at a high level ever since she was young, and Molly is the key," Steven said. "Molly's pulling out the best of her."
As he watches his daughter begin her new journey as a Sun Devil, he couldn't be prouder.
"It's nice to see the hard work and the time that she's put in to be in this position, and to see what she's done with the opportunity has been really, really cool," he said.
Edited by Alan Deutschendorf, Henry Smardo and Ellis Preston.
Reach the reporter at holtzingerethan@gmail.com and follow @EthanZinger6 on X.
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Ethan Holtzinger is a sports reporter for The State Press who has previously worked for Cronkite News and the Arizona Interscholastic Association. He is in his 2nd semester with The State Press and 5th semester at ASU.
