NBA Dream Helped Keep Kam Williams at UK

Kam Williams’ decision to stay at Kentucky for a second season with coach Mark Pope  surprised some considering how many of his teammates entered the transfer portal after UK’s 14-loss season.

There was one important factor in Williams’ decision to stay at Kentucky — and it was not money.

“Kam’s dream is to play in the NBA. One of the best forums to make that happen is Kentucky. Kentucky has the best fanbase, great schedule, great exposure,” said Greg Williams, Kam’s father. “Kam also wants to play in the NCAA Tournament. It is not guaranteed but Kentucky is going to give you the opportunity to play at that level and that means more games to play.

“Certainly money is an aspect of the decision and money does get you an opportunity (to play). If you are paid more, you are going to play more to justify the money.”

The 6-foot-8 Williams transferred from Tulane to Kentucky last season. He averaged 6.0 points and 2.1 rebounds per game while shooting 35.9 percent from 3-point range and 45 percent overall. He played in 24 games with seven starts but missed 13 games after breaking his foot in mid-January before returning for postseason play.

“He wanted to come back and play because he had been in the trenches since June fighting with those guys to get better,” Greg Williams said. “(Otega) Oweh and (Denzel) Aberdeen are great teammates and pushed him to be the best he could be.”

Kam Williams insisted he wanted to stay at Kentucky when the season ended. His father insisted he felt the same way.

“If Kam was about money, he would not have been at Kentucky. He was offered more last year and offered more this year to leave,” Greg Williams said. “He likes Kentucky. He loves the fanbase and the coaches. Alvin Brooks was our main recruiter and we were sad he had to go but we understand the business aspect (of college basketball).”

Kam Williams also was not influenced by what teammates entered the transfer portal or who might or might not be joining UK’s 2026-27 roster.

“You can’t base your decision on anybody else being in the portal and you can’t know anybody for trying to put himself in the best position. Is this (UK) a good spot for him? Yes. Does he hope Pope makes great decisions on next year’s roster? Yes. Last year Kam knew where he wanted to be and made a quick decision to come to Kentucky. He did the same thing again.

“Last year when committed (to Kentucky) he did not know who would still be on the team or who would be here when he first got on board with Kentucky. He just knew Kentucky would try to fill a championship team and is confident the approach will be the same this year.”

So what did Pope tell Kam Williams about his future at Kentucky after he averaged only 18  minutes per game last season?

“When they meet they generally tell you future plans and you base  your decision on that. They (UK) told Kam they bought into him, thought he was a great choice to stay and were thinking about what they can do for him,” Greg Williams said. “It was mutual for him to stay.

“When they want you, money is not a problem. It’s not a hard negotiation. Once you have the conversation about what your role will be and once those things come together, you are good. Once the role is set, the money will work out.”

Greg Williams said the stress on him versus the stress on his son during the decision making process was different.

“Kam is the player. He dealt with coaches, teammates, practices and the grind. He is in Kentucky. I am in Louisiana. He is hoping to get a better opportunity next year. He knows you are going to have 20,000 fans at home games and maybe 5,000 to 10,000 fans on the road which is crazy,” Greg Williams said.

“The stress level for him was, do they want me back? Kentucky made it clear they wanted him with their plans and financial investment. He knew then he was coming back. He wants to be part of a good team. The goal is to get No. 9 (national championship) and try to select people to fit that mindset.

“Michigan won (the national title) with five transfer starters. They thought we instead of me. They put the team in front of individual goals. if team gets hot you will be rewarded for the team’s success

“I wanted my son to be happy with his decision. Change is not always great but you can’t always be afraid of change because it can be great. Kam was not afraid but feels comfortable with the situation at Kentucky and wants to be part of helping the team win No. 9.”