Brandon Garrison, left, is learning daily from veteran Amari Williams. (UK Athletics Photo)
Drexel transfer Amari Williams went through the NBA Draft process after being named conference defensive player of the year three times and was told by NBA personnel that he needed to prove himself at a higher level.
“There’s a lot of great players in this league and in some of the teams we are playing in the non conference, too. So having that challenge of defending them and just going up against them offensively will be interesting,” Williams said.
Williams, who is from Nottingham, England, averaged 10.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game in his four years at Drexel. Last season he averaged 12.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.8 blocks and 22.9 minutes per game.
Williams has heard and read the chatter that while he was a great defender at Drexel, he has not played against athletic bigs like he’ll face in the Southeastern Conference.
“I knew as soon as I entered the transfer portal that’s gonna be wherever I went,” Williams said. “Just proving that I can play at this level. That’s something I’ve always wanted to do. Something I got in the back of my mind every game already.”
Williams prides himself on his defense and passing. Kentucky coach Mark Pope immediately praised the 6-10 center for his passing as soon as he signed with UK.
“My role has probably changed this year from what it was last year. But I feel like those two things are constants and something I can always do at a high level on any team, so I feel like those are the two things (passing and defense) I signed up for,” Williams said.
“Coming from England I really had to kind of find a role on the team. So defending and being able to pass at a high level was it. I feel like that was the role I wanted. From then I just had to build confidence, build trust in the coaches and that’s what made me who I am today.”
Oklahoma State transfer Brandon Garrison said he’s already been learning a lot from Williams.
“Him just giving me defensive keys and just the little stuff like that I feel it’s helping my game. Him guarding me, he’s already got his grown man strength, so going against that is making me better,” Garrison said.
One Response
He is a decent rebounder too. We have needed a presence like his in the post for years. Too bad we will only have him 1 year. He will get enough put back opportunities and foul shots on top of his assists which will keep him from being an offensive liability.