University of Massachusets Athletics
Women’s Basketball Signs A Pair Of Transfers
April 21, 2022 | Women's Basketball
Laila Fair and Kristin Williams will join the program beginning with the 2022-23 season.
AMHERST, Mass. – University of Massachusetts women's basketball and head coach Tory Verdi announced on Wednesday that incoming student-athletes Laila Fair and Kristin Williams have signed their respective National Letter of Intent.
"Both Laila and Kristen are great additions to our team," said Verdi. "Our goal is to not be complacent with last year's results. We want to sustain success and you do that by adding good players and we have definitely done that."
Fair, a 6-foot-2 forward from Middlesex, New Jersey, comes to Massachusetts after spending a season at Saint Joseph's. At Saint Joseph's, she competed in all 24 contests, starting in 15, and averaged 8.6 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game and 1.0 assists per game. Fair tallied a career-high 20 points at Penn (Dec. 7, 2021) and against Duquesne (Mar. 3, 2022), while grabbing a career best 11 boards at Penn (Dec. 7, 2021). She was a 2022 Atlantic 10 All-Championship Team member and earned a spot on the A-10 All-Rookie Team.
Williams, a 5-foot-8 guard who hails from San Diego, California, joins the Minutewomen after spending a year Pensacola State College. During her season at Pensacola State, she competed in all 25 contests, getting the start in three, and averaged 13.4 points per game, 2.3 rebounds per game and 1.6 assists per game. She put up a career-high 29 points against Tallahassee Community College on January 17, 2022 and came down with a career best six rebounds versus Florida State College at Jacksonville on November 5, 2021.
Laila Fair • Forward• 6-2 • Middlesex N.J. • Stuart Country Day School • Saint Joseph's
Verdi on Fair: "I'm super excited that I get to coach Laila. She brings size, skill and depth to our front court. Laila is one of the most improved post players in the A10. She can score the ball and I think her best basketball is just ahead of her."
Fair on UMass: "I choose UMASS because I could see myself thriving in a program like this for basketball. On top of that, the staff was welcoming and the players seemed to have a family environment. In addition to basketball part, I am excited to grow as an individual!"
Kristin Williams • Guard • 5-8 • San Diego, Calif. • Christian High School • Pensacola State College
Verdi on Williams: "We are very excited to announce Kristin Williams commitment to the University of Massachusetts. She is a dynamic scoring guard who can score it at all three levels. She will give us depth at the guard position. What I love best about her as a player is her competitive spirit. I expect to see her impact our program greatly!"
Williams on UMass: "I chose UMass because of their winning culture. I wanted to join a family and be supported for the rest of my career. Having the ability to continue my development as a player with a team who does whatever it takes was important to me. Coach Verdi, the assistants and staff made UMass feel like home. The environment at UMass is electric and the team was easy to vibe with. I appreciated their transparency throughout my recruiting experience and how much they wanted me."
"Both Laila and Kristen are great additions to our team," said Verdi. "Our goal is to not be complacent with last year's results. We want to sustain success and you do that by adding good players and we have definitely done that."
Fair, a 6-foot-2 forward from Middlesex, New Jersey, comes to Massachusetts after spending a season at Saint Joseph's. At Saint Joseph's, she competed in all 24 contests, starting in 15, and averaged 8.6 points per game, 4.7 rebounds per game and 1.0 assists per game. Fair tallied a career-high 20 points at Penn (Dec. 7, 2021) and against Duquesne (Mar. 3, 2022), while grabbing a career best 11 boards at Penn (Dec. 7, 2021). She was a 2022 Atlantic 10 All-Championship Team member and earned a spot on the A-10 All-Rookie Team.
Williams, a 5-foot-8 guard who hails from San Diego, California, joins the Minutewomen after spending a year Pensacola State College. During her season at Pensacola State, she competed in all 25 contests, getting the start in three, and averaged 13.4 points per game, 2.3 rebounds per game and 1.6 assists per game. She put up a career-high 29 points against Tallahassee Community College on January 17, 2022 and came down with a career best six rebounds versus Florida State College at Jacksonville on November 5, 2021.
Laila Fair • Forward• 6-2 • Middlesex N.J. • Stuart Country Day School • Saint Joseph's
- Spent one season at Saint Joseph's
- Averaged 8.6 points/game, 4.7 rebounds/game, 1.0 assists/game
- Played in 24 games, getting the start in 15
- Atlantic 10 All-Championship Team Member
- Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team Member
- Attended Stuart Country Day School
- Aided her team to the NJISAA Prep B state title in her junior season
- Helped the team to the Mercer County Tournament Finals as a junior
- As a junior, was named to the Roselle Catholic Holiday All-Tournament Team
- Named Most Improved Player in 2019-20
- Led her SCDS team to the NJISAA Prep B state title and Mercer Country Tournament semifinals as a sophomore
- Played AAU for Team Miller Lightning
Verdi on Fair: "I'm super excited that I get to coach Laila. She brings size, skill and depth to our front court. Laila is one of the most improved post players in the A10. She can score the ball and I think her best basketball is just ahead of her."
Fair on UMass: "I choose UMASS because I could see myself thriving in a program like this for basketball. On top of that, the staff was welcoming and the players seemed to have a family environment. In addition to basketball part, I am excited to grow as an individual!"
Kristin Williams • Guard • 5-8 • San Diego, Calif. • Christian High School • Pensacola State College
- Spent one season at Pensacola State College
- Averaged 13.4 points/game, 2.3 rebounds/game, 1.6 assists/game
- Played in 25 games, starting in three
- Attended Christian High School
- 4x Letter Winner / 4x Team Captain
- Averaged 28 points/game her senior year
- Accumulated six assist, five steals and four rebounds in her senior season
- As a junior, averaged 15 points/game, with five assists, four steals and 3.5 rebounds
- Holds the Christian High School record for most points scored in a game (51)
- Totaled over 1,500 points in her high school career
- McDonald's All-American Nominee
Verdi on Williams: "We are very excited to announce Kristin Williams commitment to the University of Massachusetts. She is a dynamic scoring guard who can score it at all three levels. She will give us depth at the guard position. What I love best about her as a player is her competitive spirit. I expect to see her impact our program greatly!"
Williams on UMass: "I chose UMass because of their winning culture. I wanted to join a family and be supported for the rest of my career. Having the ability to continue my development as a player with a team who does whatever it takes was important to me. Coach Verdi, the assistants and staff made UMass feel like home. The environment at UMass is electric and the team was easy to vibe with. I appreciated their transparency throughout my recruiting experience and how much they wanted me."
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