Film Room: Amari Williams

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film-room-amari-williams — Photo by Vincent Carchietta | USA TODAY Sports

Coach Mark Pope received his first commitment as the head coach at Kentucky on Tuesday, April 16th. That is when Class of 2022 four-star guard Collin Chandler, who is wrapping up a two-year mission trip, announced that he would follow Coach Pope to Lexington. On Sunday, the Wildcats saw their roster grow once again as Coach Pope got his first transfer portal recruiting win. Amari Williams ultimately chose the ‘Cats over Mississippi State.

Williams was on campus over the weekend hitting all of the staples including Keeneland, Jeff Ruby’s, and some Kentucky versus Tennessee baseball. The three-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year at Drexel, Williams is a 6’10” 265-pound force inside. For Kentucky fans that wanted to get older, more physical, and better defensively, this is your man. He averaged 12.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game in just 22.9 minutes this past season. As a junior, Williams averaged 13.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks per game. He earned First Team All-CAA honors both seasons.

There is a lot to like about Williams’ game and what he brings to the table for the Wildcats. First and foremost, you are getting one of the best interior defenders in the transfer portal. It is hard to find 265-pound big men who can move with the agility and vertical athleticism he possesses. Also, Williams is a better fit for Coach Pope’s offense than initially meets the eye. It can be easy to only consider shooting ability when evaluating frontcourt players to fit his “system.” However, there are more ways to space the floor than strictly shooting it from deep. Williams is very comfortable operating on the perimeter in a 5-Out offense. He is a great passer, can drive it left, and is an active screener. The fit within Coach Pope’s offense shouldn’t be a concern.

These next few weeks promise to be very busy within the KSR Film Room. Building a brand new roster essentially from scratch means a lot of new faces to get to know. However, there is also a level of excitement that comes with rebuilding from the ground level. We will be here every step of the way to provide a crash course on each new commitment as they join the program. Let’s dive into a full breakdown of Amari Williams and what he will bring to Coach Pope’s Kentucky Wildcats.

Rim Protection & Rebounding

You can’t get too far into breaking down Amari Williams before acknowledging his defensive prowess. That is what made him so popular in the transfer portal. Williams was the three-time Defensive Player of the Year in the CAA at Drexel finishing 32nd, 38th, and 39th in block rate each of the last three seasons. Similarly, he has checked in at 18th, 6th, and 28th in defensive rebounding rate during the same span. Kentucky just added arguably the best interior defender in the portal. However, not only does Williams protect the rim and rebound, but he also has the athleticism to guard ballscreens. What he brings on the defensive end of the floor will be a breath of fresh air for Big Blue Nation.

This past season we spent a lot of time talking about the difference between blocking shots and protecting the rim. Kentucky was elite at blocking shots as evidenced by leading the country with a 16.2% block rate. However, teams still made 49.4% of their shots from two-range. When the Wildcats weren’t blocking shots opponents generally found success at the rim. That was not the case for Amari Williams at Drexel. Individually, Williams was 39th nationally blocking 8.5% of shots, but as a team the Dragons ranked just 121st in the category. That didn’t keep opponents from shooting only 48.2% from inside the arc though. This clip is the perfect example of how that happens. See how Williams stayed down on all of the shot fakes to force the miss.

Physicality in the post paired with verticality at the rim. Those are two traits that combine to make an elite interior defender. Williams is consistently the second to jump which helps keep him from fouling while blocking shots at a high rate. This is a great play against #43 Dixon for Villanova.

Amari Williams closes space very well off of the ball when coming in to block shots. Again, he is second to jump which keeps him from biting on shot fakes. This is a big time play cracking down from the free throw line to the rim.

On the surface this is just a tip-in worth two points. However, the exciting part for Kentucky fans is the physicality that Williams displays inside. Notice before the shot is even attempted he is carving out space in preparation for a potential offensive rebound. #6 in blue probably could have been called for a hook-and-hold here as well, but it didn’t keep Williams from completing the putback. This level of interior physicality was missing from the Wildcats last season.

Williams finished the season with a 12.7% offensive rebounding rate which was 65th best nationally. His ability to rip 50/50 balls away from the opponent is part of how he was able to be so effective on the offensive glass. From initiating the wing handoff, to the physical offensive rebound, to the big two-hand slam this is a perfect example of what he brings to the table.

Passing Ability

On the surface, the immediate concern with Amari Williams is how he fits into the 5-Out style of play that Coach Pope used at BYU last season. There are a few reasons why that should not be much of a concern. First, there is more that goes into spacing the floor than just three-point shooting. Spacing can be schemed and if surrounded by three or four shooters there will still be plenty of space. Secondly, Williams is a guy that you can actually throw it to in the post. Last season, Kentucky’s big men simply occupied (valuable) space around the basket. Now, the ‘Cats have a scoring threat inside. Lastly, Williams is a very good passer. He is comfortable operating on the perimeter and can serve as an offensive trigger point.

Many fans fell in love with watching Aly Khalifa slice up opposing defenses for BYU last season. The recent Louisville commit was arguably the best passing big man in college basketball, but Amari Williams can share it in his own right. This is essentially a Princeton action from Drexel in this clip. The point guard hits Williams at the elbow and goes to the three-man side. As the guards come together on the wing, one back cuts and is hit in stride by a beautiful bounce pass by Williams. He will fit in nicely with 5-Out actions that can utilize him as a passer.

Williams likely won’t see as many double teams in the SEC as he did in the CAA, but the vision and feel still exist. As soon as he recognizes the double coming from the high side he looks for his teammate cutting along the baseline. Having the ability to pass with his back to the basket will unlock of a lot of the perimeter action that Coach Pope likes to run when the ball goes in the post.

Being a willing passer can be as effective as being a skilled passer. There is no denying that Amari Williams is willing to share the basketball. He rarely forced the issue when facing a double team and would play with the necessary pace to draw the extra defender. In this clip he almost baits the defender into coming by turning his head, but then is ready to whip a perfect pass to his teammate spotted up beyond the arc.

This is an incredibly difficult pass to make. Then, when you consider it is a 5-man delivery a perfect pass into his teammate’s shooting pocket it becomes even more impressive. If you can surround Williams with three or four shooters it will really unlock his interior playmaking ability.

Fitting into a 5-Out Offense

After spending the last week salivating about Coach Pope’s BYU offense that took 50.4% of their shots from three-point range, the first transfer he took is a non-shooter. Admittedly, there could be some skepticism to that strategy. However, that would be short-sighted. First of all, Kentucky needs a lot of players and you can’t pass up on guys as good as Amari Williams. Secondly, he checks valuable boxes in experience, physicality, and defensive ability. Lastly, he fits much more seamlessly into a 5-Out offense than his three-point shooting numbers would indicate. We’ve already talked about his passing ability, but he also can score it when operating away from the block.

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Drexel did a lot of things offensively that looked similar to how Kentucky used Tre Mitchell early in the season when he was playing the 5. Williams is very comfortable out on the perimeter initiating offense from the top of the key. The Dragons initially got into some Princeton-type action before the handoff and rescreen on the far side. This is a perfect example of where Williams’ mobility and agility on the perimeter come into play.

Per Synergy, Williams did most of his scoring in the post and on offensive rebound putbacks. However, he has showcased the ability to put the ball on the floor, going left, and drive to the basket. He is especially effective from the right elbow where he can drive it left and score off of just one or two dribbles.

Here is another look of Williams driving it left from the right elbow. He is very quick for his size and then athletic enough at the end of his drives to elevate up over the defense. Even with making the jump from the CAA to the SEC he should have no problem scoring one or two of these each game.

No disrespect to the Kentucky 5-men last season, but there is zero chance any of them could have made this play. Taking multiple dribbles while sprinting down the floor next to a defender simply would not have resulted in anything positive. However, Amari Williams is so athletic and coordinated that it was no problem for him. Obviously Coach Pope isn’t relying on this sort of play from Williams very often, but it is good to know he is capable of finishing in transition like this.

Aside from the shooting ability, there is a lot of Williams’ game that reminds you of how Kentucky used Tre Mitchell early in the season. Offense can be initiated through him at the top of the key. This time though he fakes the handoff, keeps it, and drives it left for a layup. He makes the defense pay for anticipating the handoff and switching a bit too early. Again, this is why there shouldn’t be serious concerns about how he can fit in a 5-Out offensive system.

Post Presence

Kentucky was missing a true post presence last season. None of the three seven-footers were a real threat to score it with their back to the basket and throwing it to them in the post simply wasn’t a part of the offense. Amari Williams ranked in the 92nd percentile, per Synergy, by being utilized in the post on 38.4% of Drexel’s possessions last season. You can safely assume that number will be lower this coming season in Lexington, but it is good to know he has that ability. This is another way he will be able to stretch the floor without shooting threes. Spacing typically is thought of as stretching the defense beyond the arc. However, if you can also pull the defense towards the rim and force them to respect the post it can open up the perimeter more as well.

Above all else, Williams is looking to score it with his left hand over his right shoulder in the post. His passing ability makes opposing defenses hesitant to dig down too hard. In this clip you see him quickly kick it out as the dig gets more aggressive, but then he reposts another catch. On the second catch no help comes at all so he is able to get to the midline with two physical dribbles and finish over his right shoulder.

Especially transitioning to the Southeastern Conference, Amari Williams will need to be able to make quick post moves. That is something he already excelled at while playing at Drexel. There are no wasted dribbles and he gets into his move quickly. With his man sealed at the front of the rim, Williams takes once dribble to set up the drop step back to his right shoulder. This is a simple, but great, move.

In the SEC, Williams will need to be able to finish this with his right hand to keep from getting his shot blocked. However, it is still good to see him using the drop step back to the baseline when the defense sits on his right shoulder. Being willing and able to make a counter move unlocks a new ceiling for what Williams could be as a back to the basket threat.

Evaluation

There is a really high, established floor with Amari Williams as he comes to Kentucky. You know exactly what you are getting in terms of his ability on the boards and as a rim protector. His experience, physicality, athleticism, and motor will ensure that he translates as a rim-runner and rim-protector. Then, there is an exciting ceiling to his game as well. Williams flashes some high-level passing ability and is comfortable operating out on the perimeter in a 5-Out concept. He can drive it at you with his left hand from the right elbow or the top of the key. In the post, he likes to score over his right shoulder with his left hand. The athleticism at his size is special and should translate to the SEC rather seamlessly.