DETROIT – If you have heard the name Lilly Williams before, there is a good chance it was because of her success on a basketball court.
Monday (June 1st) was no exception as the Howell High School graduate was awarded the 2026 Michigan High School Athlete of the Year by the Detroit Athletic Club Foundation.
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McDonald’s All American, Gatorade Player of the Year and Michigan Miss Basketball were already on her resume and now she can add one of the highest honors by one of the most prestigious associations in the state.
Williams helped lead the Highlanders to a KLAA championship in girls basketball this past season while recording a school record 126 blocked shots. Averaging just under 18 points and 12 rebounds per game during Howell’s 32-2 campaign are a couple more reasons why Michigan State is thrilled Lilly will be wearing green and white to begin her collegiate career.
MEET THE DAC MALE & FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR FINALISTS!
— STATE CHAMPS! Michigan (@statechampsmich) May 28, 2026
Our third finalist is Lilly Williams, the 2026 Michigan Miss Basketball who will be taking her talents to Michigan State University.
Make sure to tune in at 6 pm on June 1st to the State Champs YouTube page to see who… pic.twitter.com/Z1LXRyvLNH
“Just keep on loving the game. Remember why you started. Basketball has been such a huge part of my life,” Lilly told Lorne Plant of the State Champs! Sports Network, the hosts of the Detroit Athletic Club Foundation Awards show. “I am just so thankful to be at the point that I am at right now. I just think it comes back to remembering why you started playing in the first place.”
The 2026 Michigan High School Male Athlete of the Year award was given to Jarrett Smith, a three-time state champion wrestler from Lowell High School. Smith graduated as a valedictorian and will continue his wrestling journey at Stanford University next school year.