BREAKING: Riquna Williams has been handed a 10-game suspension over domestic violence arrest

As reported last week, a source close to the Riquna Williams situation who wished to stay anonymous because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter informed Swish Appeal that the WNBA has concluded its investigation into Riquna Williams’ domestic violence arrest and was preparing to announce its findings imminently, along with any punishment, which was expected to be a suspension.

The WNBA had been trying to meet with Williams as a part of its investigatory process since July 3.

Her agent had requested that Williams, who was on a road trip with the Sparks, be afforded the opportunity to speak with the league after her return to Los Angeles where her agent is based. The WNBA imposed a hard deadline of Thursday, July 11, at 5 p.m. ET by which Williams had to meet with the league’s investigators if she wished to weigh in before they finalized and announced their decision.

At 8:34 p.m. ET on Thursday, July 11, Swish Appeal was informed by the same anonymous source that Riquna Williams had given a statement to WNBA investigators denying all charges and allegations. Now, the league has made and announced its decision — a 10-game suspension that starts with the Sparks’ Thursday matchup against the Dallas Wings at home.

The WNBA statement reads, in part:

The WNBA conducted its own internal investigation into this matter, including interviews of Williams and several witnesses. The WNBA also consulted with a panel of experts in the field of domestic violence, upon whom the league relies in connection with such matters.

Based on the investigation, consultation, and a careful weighing of all the facts and circumstances, the WNBA determined that a ten-game suspension was appropriate. Among other factors, the WNBA took into account the nature and seriousness of the conduct at issue, including the involvement of a firearm. The WNBA will also require Williams to participate in counseling.

Williams was arrested in April in Palm Beach County, Florida on charges of “burglary with assault or battery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill.” On May 27, the WNBA issued the following statement on Riquna Williams’ arrest:

The matter is under active investigation and we have nothing to report at this time.

Orlando Castaño, Williams’ agent, informed Swish Appeal on July 8 that the league was urging the Sparks to suspend Williams under Article XIV of the WNBA’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, Player Conduct and Discipline.

A 10-game suspension means Williams will not play again until Tuesday, August 27, when the Sparks face the Washington Mystics in D.C. — a game that will be televised on ESPN2.

This story was originally published on Thursday, July 11, 2019 at 4:45 p.m. ET.