KSR Today: Koby Brea and Amari Williams are NBA Draft picks
Man, what a great day it was for Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats. Remember all of those criticisms about Pope and his qualifications when he took the job, namely the zero attached to his name in the postseason wins, five-star recruits and draft selections categories? He’s already brought the program back to the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2019 with a record-setting eight top-15 wins in year one, plus three top-40 high school additions in this cycle alone — including one McDonald’s All-American, another USA U19 National Team member and the third seen as the fastest-rising prospect in the class.
Then came the 2025 NBA Draft, Kentucky finishing tied for third among all schools with two selections, behind only Duke (five) and Florida (three). Rutgers, Georgetown, Illinois and Tennessee were the only other programs with multiple draft picks.
Koby Brea joins Devin Booker in Phoenix
Koby Brea was the first off the board for the Wildcats, selected by the Phoenix Suns with the No. 41 overall pick — convenient that Mark Pope’s first-ever draft selection shared his same jersey number as a Wildcat, just as the margin of victory in his first win at Kentucky was 41 points. The sharpshooter out of New York will be joining superstar guard Devin Booker out in Arizona, certain to go En Fuego in that desert heat.
“I just thought about the beginning and where it all started,” Brea said of the moment he heard his name called. “Being four years old, not knowing where this game is gonna take me, I just knew that I really loved that orange basketball. Knowing now that I’m here, in the NBA? It’s crazy.”
That was the guarantee, though — Brea was listed on every major mock ahead of the draft, usually in that early-second range. That followed the script.
Amari Williams trades out blue for green
Then came the surprise, Amari Williams selected No. 46 overall by the Boston Celtics as the 11th center picked in 2025. He started seeing his name pop up on draft boards late in the process, but typically sliding in at the very end of the second round, at best. Instead, the 7-footer who loves his Weetabix was firmly in the field as a mid-second-rounder.
Maybe the most fascinating part of his pick? Williams came off the board during a commercial break — a New Balance ad featuring Tyrese Maxey, actually. It’s just like when Nikola Jokic was selected No. 41 overall in 2014 during a Taco Bell commercial promoting the new Quesarito, which has since been discontinued.
That means Williams is on his way to an NBA MVP and world championship with the Celtics, if you ask me.
Mark Pope congratulates both draft picks
Shortly after both players heard their names called, Pope congratulated them with some words of encouragement as they begin their NBA journeys.
“I could not be more excited for (Koby Brea) and this opportunity,” he said of Brea’s move to Phoenix. “Two years ago, Koby had a really tough surgery and spent an entire summer in a wheelchair. To see him come back from that, become a Kentucky legend and now make his way to the NBA has been incredible to witness.”
“Amari Williams did it all for us this season as a point-center,” Pope added of the UK center from the U.K. “He has taken an untraditional path to the NBA, coming from Nottingham, England, to setting records at Drexel before setting records as a Kentucky Wildcat. I could not be prouder of (Amari Williams) and am looking forward to seeing what he does next.”
Andrew Carr to Portland, Lamont Butler to Atlanta
While you were sleeping after the draft wrapped up, two other Wildcats put pen to paper with NBA franchises as undrafted free agents.
First, it was Andrew Carr signing an Exhibit 10 contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony. That’s a one-year, non-guaranteed minimum deal that can be converted into a two-way deal with an optional bonus up to $75,000 if things work out during Summer League and training camp.
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Shortly after, Lamont Butler agreed to a two-way contract with the Atlanta Hawks — announcing the big news to his friends and family at a draft party late last night.
We’re still waiting on Jaxson Robinson’s final destination, likely signing a two-way deal as a fringe draft prospect behind Brea and Williams — he’ll certainly have an opportunity to prove himself as a pro.
NBA Summer League action will run from July 5-20, starting in San Francisco and Salt Lake City from July 5-8, then Las Vegas from July 10-20. You won’t have to wait long to see what our former Wildcats are made of at the next level.
Adou Thiero is a Los Angeles Laker
He may have been the enemy as a junior in Fayetteville, but he was a fan favorite as a freshman and sophomore in Lexington. Now, Adou Thiero is in the NBA, selected by the Los Angeles Lakers with the No. 36 overall pick.
“Blessed, happy, just thankful. I’m grateful,” Thiero said of the moment.
“I’m so proud of how far Adou has come from a 5’11 9th grader to becoming an NBA player. Incredible journey,” John Calipari said of the former Wildcat. “Forget what round he is drafted in he is a player they will look at and go ‘how did he get drafted there that was a steal.’ We have had guys go in the second round or even undrafted that go on to have a great NBA career! He has what it takes mentally and physically to succeed in the NBA. Go do it Adou!”
As for the other Razorbacks drafted, there were no other Razorbacks drafted. That’s two Kentucky draft picks vs. one Arkansas draft pick, for those keeping track at home.
Will the dice stay hot for Kentucky football?
We’ll be celebrating a big draft night for the Cats all day, but don’t forget that 4-star OT Tyreek Jemison will be making his commitment Friday afternoon, as well — and Kentucky is in a great spot.
The 6-5, 330-pound lineman is set to decide between UK, Ole Miss, Georgia Tech, NC State and UNC at 4:30 p.m. ET. Can Mark Stoops earn his eighth commitment in the last 11 days and 12th overall?
Oh, and don’t forget that we’re on commitment watch for Cincinnati (Ohio) Moeller star Matt Ponatoski — UK’s top QB target and top-100 talent.
Vibes are (finally) good again with UKFB.
Enjoy your day, BBN. Go Koby Brea and Amari Williams.
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