Film Room: Kam Williams

On March 28, 2024 the Kentucky Wildcats were still over a week away from Coach Calipari stepping away from the program. It wasn’t until April 21st, when Amari Williams committed, that Coach Pope landed his first piece from the transfer portal. Now fast forward to March 28th, 2025 and the ‘Cats already have added a transfer to a three-man incoming freshman class. Kam Williams, a freshman at Tulane, quickly pulled the trigger on Friday ahead of Kentucky’s Sweet 16 matchup against Tennessee. Obviously the rest of that day didn’t go great for Big Blue Nation, but landing a quality transfer that early in the cycle was certainly a silver lining.

Williams checks a lot of boxes when it comes to what Coach Pope is looking for while building the 2025-2026 Wildcats’ roster. First and foremost, his shooting ability jumps off of the page. The 6’8″ freshman wing shot 63-153 (41.2%) from three-point range for the Green Wave. That will certainly help begin to fill the void that will be left by outgoing shooters such as Koby Brea, Jaxson Robinson, and Ansley Almonor. However, his size is what should get fans most excited. Kentucky desperately needs to improve the perimeter size, strength, and athleticism going into next season. The 6’8″ 190 pound Williams should do just that. He also averaged 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocks per game which should indicate that he will be an improvement as well.

As always, we’ve been hard at work in the KSR Film Room breaking down Kentucky’s latest addition. Kam Williams will maintain Coach Pope’s emphasis on shooting while improving the size, athleticism, and defensive ability of the roster. Also, with three years of eligibility remaining, the Tulane transfer could develop in Lexington for multiple years. Let’s dive on into the film and take a closer look at how Williams will fit in as a Kentucky Wildcat.

Three-Point Shooting Ability

Kentucky finished the 2024-2025 season seventh in points per game (84.4), 27th in three-point percentage (37.5%), and 43rd in three-point shots made per game (9.5). Perimeter shooting will likely always be a priority as long as Coach Pope is leading the Wildcats. Kam Williams certainly should help maintain Kentucky’s three-point shooting prowess. As a freshman at Tulane, the 6’8″ wing made 63 three-point shots at a 41.2% clip. Per Synergy, Williams finished in the 94th percentile nationally in points per possession and effective field goal percentage in catch-and-shoot situations. There is a lot to like about how his skills will translate to Kentucky and Coach Pope’s offensive system. Being able to make catch-and-shoot three-point shots is a big part of that.

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We know that having big men that can pass is a priority for Coach Pope. It is easy to imagine Kam Williams making some kick-out three-point shots from the post next season like you see in this clip. He is a guy that you really have to stay tight to on the perimeter at all times. Also, while he doesn’t have the quickest release, being 6’8″ more than makes up for that.

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Kentucky was excellent in transition this season and really excelled at making three-point shots early in the clock. Here you see Williams doing just that in the AAC semifinals against Memphis. Williams did a great job of getting to the corner which created a long closeout that he easily beat with a shot fake and small sidestep dribble. His shooting ability will help make the Wildcats very effective in transition once again.

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One of the great things about evaluating transfers as opposed to freshman is so much of what you see on film is actually transferable. Obviously, Tulane to Kentucky is a jump in competition level. However, it is nothing compared to the jump from high school. In this clip you see Williams score off of a screen-the-screener action that could easily be run at Kentucky next season. He is the type of shooter that makes defenders pay for going up through screening action.

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Kam Williams can make them from well beyond the three-point line. Even when he is 25+ feet from the basket, Williams will force defenders to go over ballscreens and handoffs. Eventually, like we saw with Koby Brea this season, the pressure he puts on the defense as a shooter will help him become even more effective as a cutter and two-point scorer.

Effective as a Cutter and Driver

When you are an excellent shooter and you get added to a system that emphasizes spacing, cutting, and off-ball movement it can work wonders. Not only will Kam Williams likely get even more open shots next season, but he will also become even more effective as a cutter and driver. Teams will be forced to chase him around on the perimeter due to his shooting ability. Therefore, he will be able to use his size to curl to the basket, back cut for a layup, or attack a closeout off of the dribble. These are skills that Williams flashed at Tulane, but should really flourish at Kentucky.

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It is always encouraging when you can watch film of an incoming player and see them score in the exact manner in which they will likely score when wearing a Kentucky uniform. There will be countless opportunities for Kam Williams to set a downscreen in zoom action next season. Due to his shooting ability, and likely the shooting ability of whoever he is screening for, a lot of defenses will elect to switch that action. If they do, Williams can slip the screen for a dunk just like you see in this clip.

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Even at 25+ feet from the basket opposing defenders are likely to go over ballscreens and handoffs when guarding Williams. That will allow him to turn the corner and attack the basket in certain situations. It isn’t a big part of his game, but it certainly could be an area of growth going forward. One of the encouraging parts of getting a player with three years remaining is the development that could take place in a Kentucky uniform. Don’t be surprised if Williams starts to score more and more two-point shots during his time in Lexington. He certainly has the size and athleticism to be a high-level finisher.

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There will be opportunities for Kam Williams to slide up and play some small-ball “4.” That is what you see in this clip as Tulane runs a little ballscreen to flare screen set from a Horns alignment. Williams is able to curl the flare as his man chases over the top and finishes his cut at the rim for a layup. Again, this is the type of set play that could translate directly from Tulane to Kentucky.

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With his combination of size, athleticism, and shooting ability Williams should become very dangerous in closeout situations. At 6’8″, he is already a high-level finisher at the rim. Per CBB Analytics, the Tulane freshman shot 74.5% at the rim last season. For context, Otega Oweh shot 63.5% at the rim. His shooting ability will put him in advantageous closeout situations consistently.

Defensive Pedigree

His shooting ability certainly gets you interested. His upside as a cutter and at-the-rim finisher is very intriguing. However, the reason you begin the transfer portal class with a guy like Kam Williams is because of what he can bring on the defensive end of the floor. Kentucky improved from a low-point of #112 in KenPom’s adjusted defensive efficiency to #50 to end the season, but making defensive upgrades was still going to be a major point of emphasis this offseason. Williams checks that box. He has the obvious physical and athletic tools to go along with excellent instincts. His “Hakeem Percentage” (steal rate + block rate) of 6.5% last season was significantly higher than any perimeter defender on Kentucky’s roster. Williams averaged 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.

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You can’t teach defensive plays like this. They simply require size, length, and a little bit of timing. Kentucky didn’t have 6’8″ wings with plus length and athleticism this past season. Kam Williams will be an upgrade when it comes to perimeter defense.

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Kam Williams has the speed and awareness to jump passing lanes effectively. On film he utilizes his length and plays with his arms out consistently. Kentucky will benefit from a handful of easy “pick-6” dunks from Williams next season.

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Kentucky’s defensive improvements towards the end of the year coincided with forcing more turnovers. Kam Williams will help the Wildcats force more turnovers next season. His length in the passing lanes will lead to steals, deflections, and run out dunks.

Kam Williams Evaluation

Kam Williams maintains Kentucky’s emphasis on three-point shooting while improving their size and athleticism on the perimeter. Additionally, he has a high defensive upside that will do nothing but develop further over potentially three seasons in Lexington. He has already proven to be a high-level catch-and-shoot threat as a freshman at Tulane. Williams also was an excellent at-the-rim finisher, but will continue to increase the volume in that area as he improves as a ball handler. At 6’8″ with impressive length and athleticism he is an excellent positional shot blocker and is disruptive in the passing lanes. Right now he can excel in a “3-and-D” type of role. However, his upside is that of a well-rounded two-way menace with NBA potential. Williams checks a lot of boxes as Coach Pope’s first transfer portal addition to the 2025-2026 roster.