College Head Coach Congratulates Celtics Draftee Amari Williams

The Boston Celtics added to their rookie haul by landing Kentucky big man Amari Williams with the No. 46 pick. His former college coach celebrated the news Thursday night.

After selecting Hugo Gonzalez with the No. 28 pick, Boston traded the No. 32 selection to the Orlando Magic for two second-round selections and two future second-round picks. The Celtics received the draft rights to Williams and Max Shulga.

Williams spent the 2024-25 season playing for Mark Pope’s Wildcats before going pro. The Kentucky head coach congratulated the 23-year-old in a heartfelt social media post.

“Amari Williams did it all for us this season as a point-center,” Pope wrote. “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 (Williams)
and am looking forward to seeing what he does next.”

Kentucky also posted a video in which Pope called Williams a “marketing genius.” During the NCAA tournament, Pope playfully credited his player’s success to Weetabix, a shredded wheat cereal he grew up eating in England. Shortly after, Williams parlayed that exchange into an NIL deal.

“And now you’re off to your NBA career,” Pope told Williams. “Love you, brother.”

Williams spent four seasons at Drexel before transferring to Kentucky. The two-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year averaged 10.9 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game for the SEC program.

Williams helped steer Kentucky to the Sweet 16 by grabbing 13 rebounds in a first-round win over Troy and tallying 10 boards, six assists and three blocks in a second-round victory over Illinois. He ended his college career by scoring 14 points in a loss to Tennessee.

Kentucky also sent a simple message to Williams after his selection.

“From Nottingham, England, to Philly, to Lexington, Orlando, and now Boston,” Kentucky’s official men’s basketball account said. “Go be great, Amari Williams.”