Amari Williams, Weetabix, and the power of the Big Blue Nation

Big Blue Nation has always had an unmatched ability to rally behind its players, but even the most passionate Kentucky fans couldn’t have predicted their latest feat: turning a British cereal into an overnight sensation.

A Pre-Game Toast… Literally

Before Kentucky’s first-round NCAA Tournament matchup against Troy, Amari Williams, the Wildcats’ big man from Nottingham, England, casually mentioned he had eaten four pieces of toast before the game. The staff felt that wasn’t enough fuel for a deep March run. So head coach Mark Pope did what any great leader would do—he dug deeper.

What did you eat growing up, Pope would ask Williams. Weetabix apparently. So, the team’s director of operations, Will Barton, got his hands on some Weetabix from an international store, making sure Williams had a taste of home.

What followed was a story too good not to share.

Weetabix Takes Center Stage for Kentucky Basketball

Fast forward to the postgame press conference after Kentucky’s win over Illinois in the Round of 32. Pope, always one to bring energy to a room, turned to Williams and convinced him to tell the story. Williams, ever the good sport, obliged, explaining how in England, he grew up eating Weetabix—a long, whole wheat cereal meant to be broken apart and mixed with warm milk. It really kind of looks like a biscuit that was shaped weird.

Pope, ever the marketer, immediately let Williams know he was trying to get him an NIL deal. The room erupted in laughter. Williams, catching on, grinned and laughed too. When asked if they taste good, Williams replied, "They are not that bad." Teammates sprung into action to remind him of the NIL money, “They are amazing. They give you energy all day” Williams replied quickly.

Pope at the end of the exchange said he liked Weetabix a lot more now than he did earlier this morning. We are going to go out on a limb and say that is more because of the win. But that was just beginning of the story.

The Big Blue Buying Frenzy

The story could have ended there, just a fun moment in a press conference. But this is Kentucky basketball we’re talking about. Big Blue Nation doesn’t just listen—they take action.

Then, BBN did what BBN does best: they flooded online retailers with orders. Guess what the No. 1 cereal on Amazon became? That’s right—Weetabix.

The BBN Effect

What started as a lighthearted exchange turned into a viral moment, showcasing once again the sheer power of Big Blue Nation. This isn’t just about basketball—it’s about a fanbase that elevates its players, whether through deafening roars in Rupp Arena or skyrocketing sales of a British breakfast staple.

Now, the only question left: Does Weetabix taste better after a Sweet 16 win? BBN might just have to test that theory after playing Tennessee.