Projected Kentucky basketball starting lineup after Mark Pope lands Andrew Carr

As the roster continues to come together, it’s becoming more and more obvious that Williams is in Lexington for what he brings on the defensive end of the floor, not for his offense. While at Drexel, Williams was named the CAA Defensive Player of the Year in three of his four seasons and was one of the best rim protectors on the portal market. 

Williams has an absurd wingspan for his 6-foot-10 frame and enough strength to anchor in the post against SEC big men. He averaged 1.8 blocks a game last season but was over two blocks a game in each of the prior two years. 

Pope is prioritizing defense, but Williams’s passing seems to be enticing to the coach who built much of his offense at BYU around his center, Aly Khalifa, who averaged 4.0 assists in 19.4 minutes a game. Williams can’t orchestrate at that level, but he’s an efficient scorer around the rim who can capably pass out of post-up looks. That skillset could potentially translate to him running things from the top of the key on a limited number of possessions.