Riquna Williams suspended for 10 games for domestic violence allegation

Photo Credit: Matteo Marchi/NBAE/Getty Images

In a week where allegations of domestic violence being leveled against All-Star Natasha Howard have cast another cloud over the WNBA, the league took action against one of its players already embroiled in an existing case.

The league announced a suspension against the Los Angeles Sparks’ Riquna Williams for 10 games without pay stemming from an incident late last year that involved her ex-girlfriend.

The Sparks have played 16 games up to this point and stand at 9-7. Her suspension will begin on Thursday when the Sparks host the Dallas Wings at Staples Center. She would be eligible to return on Aug. 22 when Los Angeles hosts the Indiana Fever.

The WNBA is also requiring Williams to undergo counseling while the WNBPA will reportedly file a grievance on Williams’ behalf.


We are disappointed with the league’s actions. There is an ongoing criminal proceeding and in fairness to the player, the league could have and should have awaited its completion before taking any action.

–Terri Jackson, WNBPA executive director (Associated Press)


Riquna has not had a fair opportunity to fully defend herself. We are immediately filing a grievance and will seek the arbitrator’s review.

–Terri Jackson, WNBPA executive director (Associated Press)

In April, Williams was arrested on charges of assaulting her ex-girlfriend at a residence in South Florida. One report even said she hit her in the head and pulled her hair.


As an organiation, we abhor violence of any kind and specifically domestic take domestic violence allegations very seriously.

–Los Angeles Sparks statement


We will provide whatever resources we are allowed to help Riquna learn and grow from this unfortunate situation

–Los Angeles Sparks statement

Another report said that a pair of men told sheriff’s deputies in Palm Beach County that it took 10 minutes to break up the fight. Also, among what reportedly happened in the incident was that Williams grabbed a weapon, pointed it at a person and said “you’ll get all 18.”

High Post Hoops later got video statements from several people inolved in the case, including Williams’ ex-girlfriend. Williams’ agent, Orlando Castano, told Swish Appeal that a suspension was being sought via the Player Conduct and Discipline clause of the WNBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement and that the push for a suspension was coming from NBA legal counsel instead of the WNBA.