DAVENPORT, Iowa (March 13, 2024) – UIC junior guard/forward
Makiyah Williams (Chicago, Ill./Trinity/Marquette) was named a third-team all-Missouri Valley Conference selection and a member of the MVC All-Newcomer Team, joining Flames' graduate student forward
Keimari Rimmer (Chicago, Ill./Proviso East/DePaul) on the MVC All-Newcomer Team, the conference announced Wednesday night at the MVC postseason honors banquet at the Rhythm City Casino Resort in Davenport, Iowa.
"I'm so excited for Makiyah and Keimari. These two young ladies are incredibly deserving of this recognition," said head coach
Ashleen Bracey. "They've both made an immediate impact here at UIC and are fully committed to the success of our program."
The banquet was held on the eve of the 2024 MVC Women's Basketball Tournament (also known as "Hoops in the Heartland") that tips off Thursday in the Quad Cities. UIC (17-14) is the No. 7 seed for this year's event and will take on No. 10 seed Valparaiso in the first round at 6 p.m. (CT) Thursday live on ESPN+ from Vibrant Arena at The MARK in Moline, Ill.
Fans wishing to purchase tickets for Thursday's game (or all-session tickets for the full tournament) should contact the UIC Athletics Ticket Office at (312) 413-8421 or via e-mail at
athleticsticketing@uic.edu.
Each of the MVC postseason awards announced Wednesday were selected through a vote by the conference's 12 coaches, as well as MVC women's basketball sports information directors and media members.
In her first season at UIC, Williams has been a critical contributor off the bench, playing in all 31 games (starting three times), while averaging a team-high 12.7 points per game that ranks 14
th in the MVC. She has also scored in double figures in 22 games, including an eight-game span of double figures between Dec. 13-Jan. 14.
On Nov. 20, Williams collected the first Newcomer of the Week honors for UIC since joining the Valley after averaging 25.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 steals in two games the prior week. After she scored a career-high 28 points in a home win against SEMO on Nov. 17, Williams followed that performance with 22 points on 9-of-13 shooting two days later against IUPUI.
"I'm truly thankful to receive this honor. It's a blessing to be recognized in such a competitive conference," said Williams. "Making a run in the tournament would make this moment even better."
Williams joins recent alumnus and current UIC assistant coach/director of player personnel
Josie Filer as Flames who have received these honors (Filer earned her award last year).
#22 Keimari Rimmer (Grad., F, Chicago, Ill./Proviso East/DePaul)
A three-time MVC Newcomer of the Week, Rimmer has been a steady presence on the court for the Flames this season, playing in all 31 games and starting in 28 of them. She ranks second on the team in scoring (10.9 ppg.) and tops in rebounding (6.5 rpg.; 15
th in the MVC), offensive rebounds (2.13 orpg.; 10
th in the MVC) and steals (1.6 spg.; 10
th in the MVC). Rimmer has also recorded five double-doubles this year, tying for 11
th in the conference.
Rimmer has scored in double figures in 16 games this season, including three 20-point contests. Her strongest showing in conference play came on Feb. 9 against Evansville, when she scored 20 points and grabbed 10 boards in a 65-57 UIC victory at Credit Union 1 Arena.
Wednesday's award is the first conference postseason honor of Rimmer's career.
"Winning this award means a lot to me, I have an abundance of gratitude," said Rimmer. "It wouldn't be possible without my teammates and coaches, so I'm forever grateful for them."
For more information on UIC women's basketball, fans are encouraged to visit
UICFlames.com, or follow the Flames on social media through X (@UIC_WBB and @UICFlames) and Instagram (@uic_wbb and @uicflames).
