Amari Williams: Skilled Bruiser with Court Vision
Williams, a 7-footer with a wide frame and delicate hands, possesses the strength to intimidate players while still having the finesse to find open teammates. Could he be the next playmaking five?
Amari Williams is a classic post-first big man in today's league, but his feel for the game sets him apart. After four seasons at Drexel and a graduate year at Kentucky, Williams produced well in restricted minutes, frequently serving as a connector from the elbow and low post. Though his offensive talents aren't particularly apparent, his passing, rebounding, and interior efficiency helped him stand out to scouts seeking for old-school toughness combined with modern IQ. Let us take a deeper look at his game.
Pros:
Strength and Size
Amari’s physical presence is undeniable, he’s a true 7-footer who plays with force and balance.
He backs defenders down with ease and holds his own in the paint, using his strength to both finish through contact and establish deep post position.
Despite his size, he moves fluidly, allowing him to take advantage of mismatches and play "bully ball" effectively.
At The Rim
Williams thrives in post-up scenarios with polished footwork, using head fakes, pivot moves, and drop steps to create space and high-percentage looks.
He converts 65.9% of his shots at the rim, nearly 4% higher than the NCAA average, making him a highly efficient interior scorer.
Though he only took 11 mid range shots all season, he made 54.5% of them, hinting at untapped potential in face-up scoring.
Playmaking Ability
Amari’s court vision and passing from the post are elite for a big man, averaging 3.2 APG, landing him in the 98th percentile
He consistently finds cutters and spot-up shooters, showing a high basketball IQ and unselfishness.
His playmaking makes him a hub in half-court sets, often initiating offense through the post.
Rebounding & Blocks
Williams is an aggressive rebounder with great timing and technique, he ranks in the 99th percentile in defensive rebounds per game.
On the offensive glass, he’s relentless, ranking in the 95th percentile in points per possession on putbacks.
He’s also a top-tier rim protector, ranking in the 89th percentile for blocks, using his length and instincts to affect shots at all levels.
.Cons:
Inconsistent Hook Shot
While he attempts a hook shot regularly, it lacks consistency and polish.
The touch isn’t always there, and he often rushes the motion, which affects accuracy. If developed, this move could add a new layer to his already strong post game.
Turnovers
Despite being an excellent passer, Amari struggles with turnovers—ranking in the 4th percentile in that area.
This is often due to over-dribbling or forcing passes into tight windows. He sometimes tries to handle the ball like a guard, which leads to mistakes in transition or when bringing it up the court.
Free Throws
Shooting just 62.3% from the line (39th percentile), free throws are a clear weakness.
His form isn’t fluid, and he lacks consistent lower-body involvement, making him less reliable in late-game situations.
Pick and Roll Defense
Williams struggles with lateral quickness and change of direction (COD) when defending in space.
He’s slow to close out on shooters and can be exposed in the pick-and-roll by quicker guards.
Final Take: Amari Williams is a physically dominant, highly skilled big man who brings a rare blend of strength, passing, and rim protection. His ability to distribute from the post, finish through contact, and control the boards makes him a true two-way asset. While his hook shot, pick-and-roll defense, and free throw shooting need development, his upside is undeniable. With some polish and physical refinement, he has the potential to be a high-impact big at the next level, especially in systems that utilize bigs as playmakers.
Draft Projection: Late second round, just because he doesn’t have the ability to shoot it
Player Comparison: Alperen Şengün without the shooting ability.: Passing, post scoring, rebounding, rim protection, mobility.