Former Kentucky Big Man Amari Williams Selected in 2025 NBA Draft as His Journey from Role Player to Pro Becomes Reality
Amari Williams’ basketball journey has reached a major milestone. On draft night in 2025, the former Kentucky Wildcats forward heard his name called, officially making the leap from college athlete to NBA player. While his path to the league wasn’t the most conventional, Williams’ selection is a testament to persistence, growth, and untapped potential finally catching the eyes of professional evaluators.
A native of Nottingham, England, Williams began his collegiate journey in the U.S. with Drexel University, spending three seasons there before transferring to the University of Kentucky for the 2024–25 season. His move to Lexington was initially met with uncertainty. Could a player who built his résumé in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) truly compete and stand out in the Southeastern Conference (SEC)? The answer came slowly but surely throughout the season, as Williams proved he belonged at one of college basketball’s most storied programs.
At 6-foot-10 and around 240 pounds, Williams brought length, toughness, and experience to a Kentucky team that boasted its usual mix of blue-chip recruits and promising underclassmen. Unlike many of his teammates who had NBA expectations from day one, Williams came into the season as a relative unknown on the national stage. But he quickly made a name for himself as a defensive anchor, high-IQ rim protector, and reliable contributor on both ends of the floor.
During the 2024–25 season, Williams averaged a solid 9.2 points, 6.8 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game while shooting efficiently from the field. His stats didn’t necessarily jump off the page, but his impact was felt far beyond the numbers. He often guarded the opposing team’s best post player, made smart rotations, and provided a calming veteran presence on a young roster that went through its ups and downs.
What set Williams apart, however, was his defensive prowess and maturity. Scouts frequently noted how well he communicated on the floor, orchestrating Kentucky’s defensive schemes and anchoring the paint against high-level competition. His ability to hedge ball screens, rotate, and alter shots at the rim gave Kentucky a much-needed defensive identity. By the end of the season, he was firmly on the radar of several NBA teams looking for a mobile, defensive-minded big man with room to grow.
The 2025 NBA Draft was unpredictable as ever, with top prospects shuffled around and teams jockeying for positional fits over raw talent. As the second round rolled around, teams began prioritizing role players with specific skills and strong intangibles—exactly the mold that Amari Williams fit. He wasn’t projected to be a lottery pick or a headline-making selection, but when his name was finally announced late in the second round, the moment was no less special.
The team that selected Williams, recognizing his two-way potential and high character, sees him as a developmental piece with immediate role-playing upside. For Williams, getting drafted isn’t just the culmination of a dream—it’s the validation of his unorthodox path. From England to Drexel, and then Kentucky, his journey has always required him to prove himself. Now, he’ll aim to do the same on an NBA floor.
Williams’ rise is even more impressive when viewed through the lens of where he started. Coming out of high school, he wasn’t heavily recruited. His early years at Drexel saw steady growth, and he eventually emerged as a dominant defender in the CAA, winning Defensive Player of the Year honors multiple times. That success prompted his decision to test himself at a higher level, and Kentucky’s interest in him made sense—they needed experience and defensive presence in the frontcourt. Still, few expected him to transition as smoothly as he did.
His lone season in Lexington also gave him national exposure that simply wasn’t available at Drexel. Playing under the lights of Rupp Arena, against top-25 competition on national broadcasts, allowed scouts and fans alike to witness the maturity of his game. Though not flashy or statistically dominant, his game was steady and effective. He knew his role, stayed within it, and made winning plays.
Williams’ humility and work ethic earned him the respect of Kentucky’s coaching staff and teammates. While some players at his position might’ve bristled at being a complementary piece, Williams embraced the opportunity to contribute however he could. That attitude, combined with his physical tools and defensive instincts, made him an ideal candidate for a team looking for a locker-room-friendly, hard-working big with upside.
Beyond his on-court attributes, Williams also brings leadership and maturity to his new NBA team. At 23, he’s slightly older than most draftees, but that extra seasoning could help him carve out a niche in a league that values dependable bench pieces who can step into games and execute their role without drama. His familiarity with multiple systems and coaching styles—from Drexel’s more structured approach to Kentucky’s faster-paced, high-pressure environment—has given him the flexibility needed to adjust to the NBA’s complex schemes.
What’s next for Williams depends heavily on his development and the needs of the team that drafted him. He’s expected to participate in Summer League, where he’ll likely get the chance to showcase his rim protection, rebounding, and improving offensive game. He’s been working on expanding his shooting range and improving his footwork in the post, and there’s optimism that he can eventually become a reliable pick-and-roll finisher and short-range midrange shooter.
Still, Williams’ ticket to staying in the NBA won’t be through highlight-reel plays or flashy scoring. It will be by doing the little things that don’t show up in the box score: setting hard screens, boxing out, rotating correctly, staying out of foul trouble, and keeping opposing centers uncomfortable. In today’s NBA, where floor spacing and versatile defenders are increasingly valuable, Williams could find his niche as a switchable big off the bench—especially in matchups that demand size without sacrificing mobility.
His draft night also symbolizes a broader trend in basketball: the rise of international and mid-major players who take unconventional routes to the NBA. Williams didn’t play for a powerhouse high school program or jump to the pros after one year at a blue blood. He developed slowly, honed his skills year by year, and made a deliberate step up in competition. That kind of growth arc may be less glamorous than the five-star recruit turned lottery pick narrative, but it’s equally important—and often yields more NBA-ready players in the long run.
In the locker room, Williams is known as a quiet leader, someone who leads by example. Coaches at Kentucky praised his film study habits, his attention to detail, and his professionalism in practice. While some players use college as a stepping stone, Williams treated it like an apprenticeship. That mindset could serve him well as he adapts to the NBA grind.
There’s no guarantee of long-term success in the league for any second-round pick, especially those not expected to contribute right away. But Williams has already beaten the odds by getting this far. He’s shown that persistence, adaptability, and team-first attitude can still be rewarded in today’s basketball landscape. As he prepares for his rookie season, he does so not with the weight of unrealistic expectations, but with the confidence that he belongs—and the work ethic to prove it every day.
Fans of the team that selected him should temper expectations but stay excited about what he could become. He might not make headlines in his first year, but if he continues on his current path, he could be one of those under-the-radar draft stories that turns into a key rotation piece. With the right coaching, opportunity, and continued development, Amari Williams has a real shot to make a name for himself at the next level.
For now, the moment belongs to him and those who believed in his journey. From Nottingham to the NBA, from Drexel to Kentucky, from under-recruited to drafted, Amari Williams’ story is one of perseverance, growth, and quiet determination. And as he steps onto the NBA stage, he does so ready to write the next chapter.
