The Amari Williams Experience is an Emotional Roller Coaster

Kentucky basketball fans love their team. They don’t always love every single player on their team. There is usually one guy who consistently finds creative ways to raise an individual’s blood pressure. It varies from fan to fan, year to year.

Cameron Mills was the first player I can recall who fit this billing. He was followed by Saul Smith, Kelenna Azubuike, Alex Poythress, Sahvir Wheeler, and countless others.

Amari Williams is that guy for Mark Pope’s first Kentucky basketball team.

REBOUND WITH TWO HANDS!

Like almost every other player I previously mentioned, the highs should outweigh the lows. It’s just that there is this one thing each player does that is infuriating. For Kentucky’s 7-foot center from Great Britain it’s simple: grab the rebound with two hands.

That’s not even describing it correctly. Williams had 12 rebounds against Mississippi State. But man, sometimes you just wanna give him a pair of gloves and slap some stick’um on each end.

The Wildcats’ greatest weakness is keeping SEC opponents off the offensive glass. Mississippi State had 16 second chance points off 11 offensive rebounds. That was a few days removed from giving Georgia 17 second chance points off 13 offensive rebounds. A lot of those extra looks are happening because Williams just doesn’t catch the ball, or the Cats aren’t getting in position off missed free throws. The latter is the one that really grinds my gears. You’re lining up inside of the opponent. You can’t let them get two hands on the basketball.

That’s just one way Amari Williams frustrates the fanbase. It also happens when the ball is in his hands on the offense at the top of the key. He is the ultimate, “No, no, no, no — YES!” player, except it’s not with shots. He is an aggressive passer, and that can lead to turnovers. Williams also has a knack for pounding the rock one too many times, leading to more turnovers. He had five in the win over Mississippi State.

Accept the Bad and Enjoy the Good with Williams

I know there has been a time this season when Amari Williams has forced you to get out of your chair in the living room. “Why is he dribbling so much?” Then a few minutes later, he backs down his man and sinks a baby hook with his left hand.

I was that guy last night. “How can you let them get that rebound? Show some pride!” Then he’s grabbing a board and getting it to Otega Oweh quickly in transition for a dunk.

Amari Williams makes me feel stupid for ever doubting him. After all, I’m losing it because the guy can’t rebound when he’s actually bringing in 8.4 boards per game. He flirted with a triple-double last night (10 pts., 12 rebs., 6 asts.). This feels silly.

He’s an imperfect player. We’re going to see mistakes surface many more times throughout the rest of this Kentucky basketball season. For each low on this roller coaster, there’s an equally exciting high, usually in a win. That’s the Amari Williams Experience.

Subscribe to the KSR YouTube Channel for press conferences, interviews, original shows, fan features, and exclusive content.