Tag: Amari Williams

Amari Williams is officially out of the NBA draft and is a Kentucky Wildcat

Center Amari Williams has pulled out of the NBA draft, and is a Kentucky Wildcat officially.

Former Drexel center Amari Williams announced his commitment to Kentucky basketball more than a month ago. He was one of the first transfers to announce his decision to join Mark Pope in Lexington, and helped begin a run of really good players to become Wildcats.

There was a bit of a scare early in May, where Williams considered re-entering the transfer portal, but Pope was able to convince him to stay. Now, it seems as though all the steps are complete, as Williams has officially pulled out of the NBA draft, and appears set to be a Wildcat next season.

Related: Kentucky basketball roster tracker for 2024

The 6’10, 225 lb Williams has been one of college basketball’s better defenders over the past few years. He was named the Coastal Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year the past three seasons. During that time, he averaged 11.8 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game.

Mark Pope is building his 2024-25 roster around defense and shooting ability. Williams won’t be asked to shoot the ball a lot, but his defense will be a big key to the Wildcats’ success next season.

Amari Williams has decided to remain with Kentucky basketball

Amari Williams will stay with Kentucky basketball after a meeting with Mark Pope.

In what has been a wild few weeks of Kentucky basketball news, it almost got even crazier. Newly committed big man Amari Williams had some second thoughts about his Wildcats commitment after the signings of Andrew Carr and Brandon Garrison.

New coach Mark Pope ended up having a meeting with Williams, and according to Jonathan Givony of ESPN, the former Drexel center has decided to stay in Lexington for the 2024-25 season.

With the transfer rules being as they are, players can easily change schools at any moment, and if they don’t like a situation, they can go elsewhere. Williams would certainly like to be the starter for the Cats, and probably had some concerns about a crowded frontcourt.

Pope likely had some wisdom on that, having played with multiple talented big men himself when he was with Kentucky as a player.

Williams is an important piece for Pope and the Wildcats. He’s an elite defender who is certain to be featured next season. If he can take the next step offensively, he’ll be a start.

Drexel transfer Amari Williams commits to Kentucky basketball

Former Drexel center Amari Williams commits to the Kentucky Wildcats

Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats basketball team have landed another transfer in former Drexel center Amari Williams. He joins former BYU recruit Collin Chandler as the first additions to the Wildcats under the new coach.

Williams is a 6’10” forward/center who is a defensive specialist. He won the Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year award three consecutive seasons averaging eight rebounds and two blocks per game during that time.

Not a big-time scorer, Williams did average 11 points per game as a starter. He brings needed toughness and intensity to the frontcourt for Kentucky.

As a fifth-year Senior, Williams has one year of eligibility remaining, but his experience will be welcome. As a former frontcourt player, Pope figures to be able to get the most out of him.

Williams is a solid addition for Pope and the Wildcats. However, they have numerous spots still to be filled, and are still in contact with a multitude of available transfers.

Duke reportedly contacted former Drexel forward Amari Williams in transfer portal

The Blue Devils have reportedly reached out to former Drexel forward Amari Williams as a potential transfer target.

Duke is still in the process of ironing out its 2024-25 roster, and former Drexel forward Amari Williams might be on the shortlist of candidates.

On3’s Joe Tipton reported on Monday that the Blue Devils contacted Williams in the transfer portal.

The 6-foot-10 forward averaged 12.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game as a senior last year. He spent four seasons with the Dragons, and he’s averaged at least 7.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game in each of the last three years.

Duke’s frontcourt will be loaded regardless next season with blue-chip prospects Cooper Flagg and Khaman Maluach in the incoming freshman class, but the Blue Devils struggled with rim defense at times. Adding Williams to the 2024 recruiting class would not just solve the problem, it would create an embarrassment of riches.

Williams has already scheduled official visits with St. John’s, Crieghton, Florida, and Indiana, according to Tipton’s reporting, so the Blue Devils have lots of competition for his commitment.

Florida working to get former Drexel forward on campus for official visit

This big man could really help bolster the Orange and Blue in the paint next season.

Florida basketball continues to comb through the NCAA transfer portal in search of replacement pieces for this season’s departures, and so far, Todd Golden and his staff already have a few good targets in their sights.

Former Drexel Dragons senior forward [autotag]Amari Williams[/autotag] is among those under consideration for the Gators’ open roster spots. The 6-foot-10-inch, 265-pound front-court player is a two-time Coastal Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year award recipient.

Originally from Nottingham, England, he is planning an official visit date with the Orange and Blue in the near future, according to Swamp247. Before then, Williams also plans on stopping in to see the Creighton Bluejays, Indiana Hoosiers and St. John’s Red Storm.

He has also declared for the NBA draft in addition to entering the transfer portal. He has one year of collegiate eligibility remaining.

Stats

Williams ranked 18th nationally in total usage, leading the Dragons in ball-handling during the 2023-24 campaign. He shot 52.1% from inside the arc while ranking among the nation’s top rebounders last year with a 12.7% offensive rebounding percentage and 26.2% defensive rebounding mark.

He also ranked 39th in the country in block percentage — an area Florida needs to fill with the departure of Tyrese Samuel and Micah Handlogten’s severe leg fracture.

Transfer portal rankings

Williams is a four-star transfer portal recruit according to 247Sports, ranking No. 35 in the nation overall and No. 9 at the center position.

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