ROSEMONT, Ill. —  With the conclusion of the regular season, the Big Ten Conference announced its 2023-24 All-Big Ten Honors on Tuesday, Mar. 5. Serah Williams secured First Team and All-Defensive Team honors as well as Defensive Player of the Year. Additionally, Ronnie Porter was named Honorable Mention, while Natalie Leuzinger earned a spot on the Sportsmanship Team.

Williams, Wisconsin's leader in average points (18.1), rebounds (11.3) and blocks (2.8) was recognized by the media as Defensive Player of the Year and selected by both coaches and media as First Team All-Big Ten and All-Defensive team. These awards come just a year after the Brooklyn, N.Y. native was honored as part of the All-Freshman team. Williams has been a dominant force in the Big Ten this season, ranking fourth in the conference in scoring, fifth in field-goal percentage (.517) and first in both rebounds and blocks. The sophomore has been able to sustain success over the entirety of the conference season, claiming a double-double in 15 of 17 Big Ten games. Further, the sophomore's 15-consecutive double-doubles to end the season stands alone at No. 1 in program history, and ties Megan Gustaffson's consecutive double-double record set in the 2018-19 season. The last Badger to earn Defensive Player of the Year was Tamara Moore in 2001 and the last Badger to claim a spot on the First Team All-Big Ten was Michala Johnson in 2014.

Accompanying Williams in the conference honors is Porter who was recognized as an Honorable Mention by the media. After playing 6.8 minutes per game as a freshman, Porter is now second in the Big Ten playing 34.8 minutes per game. Not being defined by her size, Porter plays much bigger, securing an average of 5.8 rebounds a game and is tied for second in the conference for steals per game (2.1). Porter has played and started in all 28 games this season, averaging 9.9 points per game.

Wisconsin's final honoree is Leuzinger who was recognized with a spot on the Big Ten Sportsmanship Team. In her senior season, the Monroe, Wis. native averaged 7.5 points per game and was always a steady presence on the court for the Badgers. Leuzinger made incredible improvements in her game this season, having never previously started a game and averaging 1.3 points and 9.7 minutes played just a season ago. This season, Leuzinger started 24 of 27 games and averaged 29.0 minutes a contest. Leuzinger's respect and passion for the game was evident every time she was on the court and she embodied what it means to be a Wisconsin Badger. 

Link to the full Big Ten release can be found HERE.

The team will continue its season in the Big Ten Tournament inside the Target Center on Thursday, Mar. 7, against Penn State. The opening tip is set for 5:30 p.m. and can be watched on Big Ten Network.