Kentucky lands significant transfer to kick off roster rebuild
Amari Williams committed to Kentucky, giving Mark Pope a signature big man on both ends of the floor.
By Alec Lasley
Boom! Kentucky and Mark Pope have landed a signature commitment that will help the roster rebuild for the 2024-25 season.
Drexel forward Amari Williams announced his pledge to Kentucky following his vist over the weekend.
BREAKING: Drexel transfer Amari Williams (@amxriwillixms) has committed to Mark Pope and Kentucky, his agent @georgelangberg of GSL Sports Group tells @On3Sports.
— Joe Tipton (@TiptonEdits) April 21, 2024
The 6-10 F/C is a three-time CAA Defensive POY and boasts a 7-foot-5 wingspan. https://t.co/P9NWowfqb9 pic.twitter.com/k8QJVDzAbQ
Williams had been down to three schools; Kentucky, St. John's and Mississippi State.
This is a terrific first piece to the puzzle for Mark Pope. Williams is a 6-foot-10, 230-pounder who averaged 12.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game this season. He finished with 10 double-digit rebounding games and eight double-doubles.
Williams is best known for his defensive ability and shot blocking. He led the CAA in blocks last year for the third straight season and has averaged 1.8 blocks per game over the course of the last three years. He had a block rate of 8.3 percent this past season and 8.7 percent for his career.
As a junior he averaged 13.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 2.2 blocks per game.
He ranked in the top-16 in the nation in player efficiency rating in each of the last two seasons.
After losing Aaron Bradshaw, Ugonna Onyenso and Zvonimir Ivisic this offseason -- all 7-footers -- Kentucky needed to start its offseason rebuild in the front court.
feed