8,287 Miles Goes Into the Blue as Stanford’s Unbreakable Bond Gets DiJonai Carrington an Emotional Birthday Gift From Bestie

In the game of basketball, connections often run deep. Teammates speak of their camaraderie on the court, but for DiJonai Carrington and her best friend from Stanford, their bond goes beyond basketball. Even with 8,287 miles separating them—Carrington now in Miami and her best friend in Anhui, China—their friendship remains unshaken. A special birthday gesture from across the globe proves that no distance can break their unbreakable bond.

On January 8, DiJonai celebrated her 27th birthday. While she was basking in the love of friends and family in Miami, her best friend, Kiana Williams, who she shared unforgettable moments with at Stanford, made sure she felt cherished from halfway across the world. On Instagram, DiJonai shared a picture of a beautiful bouquet, in her story with the caption, “From my bestie all the way in China.”

For those who know the depth of their friendship, this simple gesture holds significant emotional meaning. The distance between them symbolizes the long journey they’ve each undertaken since their days at Stanford. Together, Williams and Carrington were instrumental in leading Stanford to its first women’s basketball NCAA title in 2021, a milestone that marked the Cardinals’ first championship since 1992.

In fact, it was a dream team that included future stars like Cameron Brink, Haley Jones, and Lexie Hull. That 2021 season, which culminated in an NCAA title, was a defining moment in both their careers. Williams, known for her shooting, led the team to victory, becoming Stanford’s all-time leader in three-pointers, while Carrington brought her own versatility as a guard.

While times have changed, both have gone on to make their mark in the world, Carrington has become an important part of Connecticut’s lineup while Kiana is making her mark in China.

Carrington shines in the WNBA as Kiana Williams dominates in China—A friendship that stands the test of distance

In Anhui, Kiana plays for a young expansion team, where her standout performances have been turning heads. Recently named Player of the Week in 2025, by the Chinese Women’s Hoop Show on X, she led Anhui to back-to-back upsets over Heilongjiang, the top-ranked team in Group B, sparking the team’s renewed playoff aspirations.