UConn’s Serah Williams is heading west.

The 6-foot-4 center, who played one season at UConn after transferring from Wisconsin, was selected by the Connecticut Sun in the third round of the 2026 WNBA Draft on Monday night in New York. 

However, not long after, the Sun traded Williams to the expansion Portland Fire. In return, the Sun received TCU guard Taylor Bigby, taken by the Fire with the No. 37 pick, and a 2027 third-round draft selection.

Williams was the No. 33 overall pick and the third player taken in the final round. 

She didn’t have too long to get accustomed to the idea of beginning her pro career playing at the Mohegan Sun Arena, close to the UConn campus, before learning of the trade.

"I was in the elevator, I believe, with my agent,” Williams said at a news conference. “She was just like, 'Yeah, scratch that, you got traded.' But I had a meeting with Portland, and they're great people so I’m super excited.” 

By the time the third round rolled around, the picks were coming quickly and no longer being announced by WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert from the stage, with the 15 invited players long ago selected. Instead, the announcements came from the broadcast booth and ESPN’s WNBA voice, Ryan Ruocco.

But when it was time for the No. 33 pick, Ruocco said Engelbert would do the honors. She returned to the stage and announced the selection of Williams, who was in the room as the entire UConn team went to New York to support  Azzi Fudd.

The Dallas Wings selected Fudd with the No. 1 overall pick, a year after the same franchise took another UConn guard, Paige Bueckers, with the first pick.

Williams, when she heard her name called, joined Engelbert as her teammates cheered.

A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Williams began her college career at Wisconsin in 2022. With the Badgers, she earned honors as the 2024 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and twice was named All-Big Ten First Team and All-Defensive Team selection.

She spent three seasons there before her transfer to UConn.

With the Huskies, she appeared in 38 games (all starts) and averaged 6.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. She was second to consensus National Player of the Year Sarah Strong on the team in rebounds (169) and blocks (51).

Williams finished her college career with 1,748 points (13.6 per game), 951 rebounds (7.4) and 262 blocks 91.3) in 129 games (127 starts).

Her numbers at UConn were career lows in most statistical categories. Her role was far different at Wisconsin. With the Huskies, the offense ran through Fudd, Strong and the shooters, and not the center position.

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