Mark Pope has been appointed as the head basketball coach at Kentucky, and his initial move was to recruit Amari Williams, a center from Drexel. In the previous season, Williams averaged 12.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game for the Dragons.
Williams is renowned for his elite defense, having won his conference’s Defensive Player of the Year Award multiple times. His 7’5″ wingspan makes him a formidable shot-blocker in the SEC.
Offensively, Williams is proficient around the rim with a variety of post moves and is effective in the pick-and-roll. However, what attracted Coach Pope to Williams was his exceptional passing ability. Williams can adeptly pass out to open shooters if he doesn’t have a good shot opportunity.
Williams is anticipated to be one of the top centers in the SEC, contributing significantly to Kentucky’s balanced offense and defense.
In a statement from Kentucky Athletics, Coach Pope praised Williams: “Amari Williams often looks dominant on the court. Being a three-time conference defensive player of the year is a remarkable feat. He brings a significant presence as a rim protector and rebounder. Amari’s defensive skills allow him to switch onto any position, enhancing team security. Offensively, he excels at the rim and is one of the best passers in college basketball. He can make all the necessary reads and plays, fitting perfectly into our game plan on both ends of the court.”
