# Amari Williams
**Amari Williams** (born 2002) is a British professional basketball player who plays as a forward-center for the [Boston Celtics](https://www.edgepedia.org/boston-celtics) of the [National Basketball Association](https://www.edgepedia.org/national-basketball-association) (NBA). A 6'11" center from [Nottingham](https://www.edgepedia.org/nottingham), England, he played four college seasons at Drexel University and one at the University of Kentucky before being selected with the 46th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft[1](https://www.nba.com/player/1642873/amari-williams/profile) • [2](https://www.nba.com/draft/2025/prospects/amari-williams). He signed with Boston on a two-way contract and became the first British-born player in Celtics history[3](https://gleague.nba.com/news/celtics-sign-amari-williams-to-two-way-contract-2).
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 2002, Nottingham, England[1](https://www.nba.com/player/1642873/amari-williams/profile) |
| Physical profile | 6'11", 250 lb per NBA.com; listed at 7-0, 265 lb by Kentucky, with a 7-foot-5 wingspan[1](https://www.nba.com/player/1642873/amari-williams/profile) • [4](https://storage.googleapis.com/ukathletics-com/2025/04/f572ed3c-final-notes_2024-25.pdf) • [2](https://www.nba.com/draft/2025/prospects/amari-williams) |
| Draft | Second round, 46th overall, 2025 NBA Draft[5](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/william01.html) |
| College career | 141 games (115 starts) across Drexel (2020-24) and Kentucky (2024-25); 10.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.6 blocks per game on 52.9 percent shooting[3](https://gleague.nba.com/news/celtics-sign-amari-williams-to-two-way-contract-2) |
| Kentucky season | 10.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 blocks in 22.8 minutes per game on 56 percent shooting[3](https://gleague.nba.com/news/celtics-sign-amari-williams-to-two-way-contract-2) • [6](https://www.si.com/nba/draft/newsfeed/the-biggest-sleeper-of-the-2025-nba-draft-amari-williams-kentucky) |
| NBA rookie season | 22 games (two starts) for Boston, 1.4 points and 1.8 rebounds in 6.6 minutes; 28 G League games for Maine, 15.8 points, 10.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.8 blocks[3](https://gleague.nba.com/news/celtics-sign-amari-williams-to-two-way-contract-2) |
| Distinctions | First player in Colonial Athletic Association history to win three conference Defensive Player of the Year awards; first British-born player in Celtics history[7](https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/sidebar-20250902-five-facts-amari-williams) • [3](https://gleague.nba.com/news/celtics-sign-amari-williams-to-two-way-contract-2) |
## Early life and Drexel
Williams is from Nottingham, England, and attended Myerscough College in [Lancashire](https://www.edgepedia.org/lancashire) before moving to the United States to play in the NCAA[2](https://www.nba.com/draft/2025/prospects/amari-williams) • [7](https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/sidebar-20250902-five-facts-amari-williams).
He spent his first four collegiate seasons at [Drexel University](https://www.edgepedia.org/drexel-university) in Philadelphia, from 2020-21 through 2023-24[7](https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/sidebar-20250902-five-facts-amari-williams). There he became the first player in Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) history to win three conference Defensive Player of the Year awards, and he was a two-time First-Team All-CAA selection[7](https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/sidebar-20250902-five-facts-amari-williams) • [2](https://www.nba.com/draft/2025/prospects/amari-williams). He capped his Drexel career with 186 blocks, fifth-most in school history[8](https://ukathletics.com/news/2025/06/26/amari-williams-is-second-cat-to-earn-nba-draft-selection/).
His early role was limited. Then-Drexel head coach Zach Spiker noted that Williams began his career playing behind James Butler, a 1,000-point, 1,000-rebound forward, and described Williams as a playmaking center rather than a pure scorer[9](https://www.on3.com/sites/kentucky-wildcats/news/drexel-head-coach-breaks-down-amari-williams-game/).
## Kentucky season
After four years at Drexel, Williams transferred to the [University of Kentucky](https://www.edgepedia.org/university-of-kentucky) for the 2024-25 season[7](https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/sidebar-20250902-five-facts-amari-williams). Playing 22.8 minutes per game, he averaged 10.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.2 blocks on 56 percent shooting from the field[3](https://gleague.nba.com/news/celtics-sign-amari-williams-to-two-way-contract-2) • [6](https://www.si.com/nba/draft/newsfeed/the-biggest-sleeper-of-the-2025-nba-draft-amari-williams-kentucky). He posted 10 double-doubles, eight of them in [Southeastern Conference](https://www.edgepedia.org/southeastern-conference) play, with a season-high 22 points against Arkansas and 15 rebounds against Tennessee[2](https://www.nba.com/draft/2025/prospects/amari-williams).
The season placed him in select statistical company. He became just the 25th player in [NCAA Division I](https://www.edgepedia.org/ncaa-division-i) history to register at least 375 points, 300 rebounds, 100 assists, 40 blocks and 20 steals in a single season while playing fewer than 1,000 minutes, and he was a National Association of Basketball Coaches Second Team All-District selection[8](https://ukathletics.com/news/2025/06/26/amari-williams-is-second-cat-to-earn-nba-draft-selection/). NBA.com's draft profile counts him as only the second player in SEC history to reach those five thresholds in one season[2](https://www.nba.com/draft/2025/prospects/amari-williams). Kentucky reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament with Williams as its defensive anchor[10](https://www.celticsblog.com/celtics-draft-rumors-news/2025/6/26/24456754/scouting-report-meet-boston-celtics-second-round-draft-pick-amari-williams-kentucky).
## 2025 NBA Draft
Williams was selected in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft with the 46th overall pick[5](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/william01.html). Boston had acquired the No. 46 and No. 57 picks from the [Orlando Magic](https://www.edgepedia.org/orlando-magic) by trading the No. 32 pick, and used No. 46 on Williams[11](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/experts-graded-celtics-drafting-amari-020626414.html). Pre-draft projections had placed him in the second round, with NBA.com comparing him to Jakob Poeltl, a skilled center who contributes through defense, passing and efficient scoring around the basket[2](https://www.nba.com/draft/2025/prospects/amari-williams).
## Professional career
**Two-way contract and rookie season.** Williams signed a two-way contract with the Celtics on August 15, 2025, and made his NBA debut on October 24, 2025[3](https://gleague.nba.com/news/celtics-sign-amari-williams-to-two-way-contract-2) • [5](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/william01.html). On February 5, 2026, he signed a standard NBA contract with the team[3](https://gleague.nba.com/news/celtics-sign-amari-williams-to-two-way-contract-2). Splitting the season between Boston and Maine, he appeared in 22 regular-season games for the Celtics, averaging 1.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 0.5 blocks in 6.6 minutes per game[3](https://gleague.nba.com/news/celtics-sign-amari-williams-to-two-way-contract-2) • [12](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/players/3177580/amari-williams/).
**G League production.** In 28 games for the Maine Celtics, Boston's G League affiliate, Williams averaged 15.8 points, 10.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.8 blocks in 29.5 minutes, with 11 double-doubles including a 33-point, 16-rebound performance in a January 3 win over Capital City[3](https://gleague.nba.com/news/celtics-sign-amari-williams-to-two-way-contract-2).
**2026 offseason.** On June 29, 2026, the Celtics declined the 2026-27 team option on Williams's contract, and the same day he agreed to a new two-way contract with the team[1](https://www.nba.com/player/1642873/amari-williams/profile). In Summer League play that July, he led Boston to an 83-80 overtime win over Toronto with 23 points (7-of-9 from the field, 5-of-8 from the line), 13 rebounds, two assists and two blocks in 29 minutes[1](https://www.nba.com/player/1642873/amari-williams/profile).
## Playing style
Williams's profile rests on size, defense and passing rather than scoring. NBA.com's scouting analysis describes a physically imposing big man with a 7-foot-5 wingspan who excels as a rim protector and rebounder, can guard multiple positions, and operates as a facilitator from the high post, often initiating offense and finding open teammates[2](https://www.nba.com/draft/2025/prospects/amari-williams).
His passing numbers stand out for his position. [Sports Illustrated](https://www.edgepedia.org/sports-illustrated)'s draft analysis noted that he was one of just four seven-footers since 2008 to post a box plus-minus of 8 or better with an assist percentage of 20 percent or higher, and that he maintained a positive 1.4 assist-to-turnover ratio despite attempting risky passes[6](https://www.si.com/nba/draft/newsfeed/the-biggest-sleeper-of-the-2025-nba-draft-amari-williams-kentucky). The same analysis credited him with a .744 free throw attempt rate, one of six SEC players above .700 that season and the tallest of them, and ranked him 45th in Division I with 8.5 rebounds per game, the only player in the top 45 averaging fewer than 26 minutes[6](https://www.si.com/nba/draft/newsfeed/the-biggest-sleeper-of-the-2025-nba-draft-amari-williams-kentucky).
Scoring is the recognized weakness. He shot between 57.1 and 62.3 percent from the free throw line across his college career and attempted few three-pointers, and CelticsBlog's player preview identified putting the ball in the basket as his main limitation, while noting encouraging free throw signs in Summer League, where he went 9-for-10[6](https://www.si.com/nba/draft/newsfeed/the-biggest-sleeper-of-the-2025-nba-draft-amari-williams-kentucky) • [13](https://www.celticsblog.com/articles/121444/celticsblog-player-preview-the-road-ahead-of-amari-williams). Foul discipline is another area flagged for development: he committed 3.9 fouls per 40 minutes in his Kentucky season, which limited his court time[6](https://www.si.com/nba/draft/newsfeed/the-biggest-sleeper-of-the-2025-nba-draft-amari-williams-kentucky).
## References
1. [Amari Williams profile, NBA.com](https://www.nba.com/player/1642873/amari-williams/profile)
2. [NBA 2025 Draft Prospects: Amari Williams, NBA.com](https://www.nba.com/draft/2025/prospects/amari-williams)
3. [Celtics Sign Amari Williams to Two-Way Contract, NBA G League (July 2, 2026)](https://gleague.nba.com/news/celtics-sign-amari-williams-to-two-way-contract-2)
4. [AMARI WILLIAMS, Kentucky game notes (2024-25 final)](https://storage.googleapis.com/ukathletics-com/2025/04/f572ed3c-final-notes_2024-25.pdf)
5. [Amari Williams Stats, Basketball-Reference.com](https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/william01.html)
6. [The Biggest Sleeper of the 2025 NBA Draft, Sports Illustrated](https://www.si.com/nba/draft/newsfeed/the-biggest-sleeper-of-the-2025-nba-draft-amari-williams-kentucky)
7. [Five Facts: Amari Williams, Boston Celtics (NBA.com)](https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/sidebar-20250902-five-facts-amari-williams)
8. [Amari Williams is Second Cat to Earn NBA Draft Selection, UK Athletics](https://ukathletics.com/news/2025/06/26/amari-williams-is-second-cat-to-earn-nba-draft-selection/)
9. ["You've Got an NBA Prospect": Drexel's Head Coach Breaks Down Amari Williams' Game, On3](https://www.on3.com/sites/kentucky-wildcats/news/drexel-head-coach-breaks-down-amari-williams-game/)
10. [Scouting report: meet Celtics second round draft pick Amari Williams, CelticsBlog](https://www.celticsblog.com/celtics-draft-rumors-news/2025/6/26/24456754/scouting-report-meet-boston-celtics-second-round-draft-pick-amari-williams-kentucky)
11. [How experts graded Celtics drafting Amari Williams with No. 46 pick, Yahoo Sports](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/experts-graded-celtics-drafting-amari-020626414.html)
12. [Amari Williams, Boston Celtics, C - News, Stats, Bio, CBS Sports](https://www.cbssports.com/nba/players/3177580/amari-williams/)
13. [CelticsBlog player preview: the road ahead of Amari Williams, CelticsBlog](https://www.celticsblog.com/articles/121444/celticsblog-player-preview-the-road-ahead-of-amari-williams)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Other team and ball sports › Basketball and court team sports › Basketball players and coaches (biographies) › Current NBA players › Centers*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Sep 30, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
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