Kentucky basketball’s masterpiece 106-100 victory over Florida this weekend wasn’t just a testament to the Wildcats’ growth as a team—it also showcased the remarkable transformation of Amari Williams. The seven-footer, who transferred to Kentucky from Drexel, has emerged as a critical piece in Mark Pope’s offense after an early December turning point.
Following the win, Pope couldn’t contain his excitement when discussing Williams' progress.
“Can I brag about Amari Williams for a minute?” Pope said. “He’s 6-7 from the field. Six games ago, we kinda had one of those come-to meetings. We’re like, okay, we gotta fix some things, right? Amari was, at the time, he had just fallen under the water, assist-to-turnover wise.”
A Turnover Problem
For a big man in Pope’s offense, where ball movement and decision-making are paramount, Williams’ turnover issues were a glaring problem. Through his first eight games as a Wildcat, Williams averaged 2.9 turnovers per game, higher than his career average of 2.1. His assist-to-turnover ratio stood at 20 assists to 23 turnovers—a number that simply wasn’t sustainable in Kentucky’s system.
“We need our bigs to be playmakers,” Pope said. “Amari’s role in this offense requires precision, and those turnovers were holding him back.”
A Turning Point
Following a tough outing against Clemson, Pope and Williams had a pivotal meeting that marked the beginning of a turnaround. Williams dedicated himself to protecting the ball and improving his decision-making. The results have been remarkable.
Over the past six games, Williams has racked up 14 assists to just three turnovers, including five assists and only one turnover in the win over Florida. That’s a staggering improvement, with a 4.5 assist-to-turnover ratio before the Florida game and a 5-to-1 ratio in one of Kentucky’s most up and down contests of the season.
“Just about protecting the ball,” Williams explained. “I feel like I’m a risky passer at times. That’s what was happening in the past—just knowing when to throw the ball and when not to. Just being more cautious about that, I feel like that’s helped my assist-to-turnover ratio a lot.”
Dominance in the Paint
Williams’ contributions haven’t been limited to ball-handling. Against Florida, he was a force in the paint, going 6-of-7 from the field and grabbing eight rebounds. His ability to balance efficiency with decision-making has made him a vital component of Kentucky’s offensive and defensive schemes.
The Next Step
While his passing has taken a leap forward, his rebounding has dipped back.
Kentucky fans want to see those numbers pump back up.
The Road Ahead
As Kentucky gears up for the heart of SEC play, Williams’ resurgence comes at the perfect time. His ability to protect the ball, make smart decisions, and dominate in the paint has helped the Wildcats build momentum. For a team with championship aspirations, the emergence of Amari Williams might just be the key to unlocking their full potential.