Mark Pope’s First Transfer Portal Pick: Amari Williams Brings Defensive Prowess to Kentucky
Three-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year and 6-foot-10, 265-pound Drexel center Amari Williams is the first big addition that new Kentucky coach Mark Pope has made via the transfer portal. George Langberg of GSL Sports Group, Williams’ agent, verified to The Athletic on Sunday that his client choose the Wildcats over Mississippi State and St. John’s.
Williams was seen with Pope at Keeneland’s spring horse racing event this past weekend while she was in Lexington. “We are here on business,” Pope said to FanDuel TV on Saturday at the trackside. It appears that he quickly finalized the agreement with Williams, who over the previous two seasons at Drexel averaged 12.9 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 2.0 blocks.
In 105 collegiate games, he has made 79 starts.
With a wingspan of seven feet five inches, the super senior from Nottingham, England, has accumulated 186 blocks, 171 assists, and 86 steals in his career. He is a fantastic big guy who can guard the rim and pass the ball well. He will be a valuable addition to Pope’s first Kentucky squad. Right now, that roster is really thin.
Since former coach John Calipari left for Arkansas, every scholarship player from the prior season has either entered the transfer portal, run out of eligibility, or declared for the NBA Draft. Out of the six recruits in the 2024 class who were previously committed, five have requested their release.
As of right now, Williams and two incoming freshmen make up the Wildcats’ roster: Travis Perry, an in-state talent who is the lone holdover, and Collin Chandler, a former top-40 prospect who committed to Pope at BYU and will arrive in Lexington this summer following a two-year Mormon mission.
Williams’ dedication might soon enable Kentucky to add another crucial component. Great Osobor, a 6-foot-8 forward who transferred from Utah State and averaged 17.7 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and was the Mountain West Player of the Year the previous season, was a teammate of his in high school in England. Kentucky is also a top-five portal prospect, Osobor, is reportedly contemplating.
(Photo: Mitchell Layton / Getty Images)