Amari Williams on Playing Center for Celtics After Departures | Draft Pick Interview
impression of Boston out there?
Uh, it was high energetic. You know, a lot of kids stay good to be out there. So, it was great to see.
What’s the last week been like for you?
Um, a lot of traveling. I mean, my last workout was in Boston. So, going from Boston to New York back to Boston is a blessing. So, it’s been fun.
How important is it for you to be part of the community of Boston?
Yeah, it’s always important just knowing, you know, you’re playing for the city and not just yourself and your teammates, but everyone around in the uh the community like you said. So, it’s always important to be connected and just kind of show your appreciation.
Who have you talked to in Boston so far? Joe, any of you know your teammates? What have those first conversations been like?
Uh, obviously I’ve met the other rookies, Max Hugo, then met Joe today and Brad Stevens. So, as the week goes on, I’m sure I’ll probably meet more. I’ve also met Bailey Shyman briefly, too. So, just guys like that.
First impressions of those guys?
I mean, they’re great. It wasn’t the first time I’ve seen them. Obviously, I’ve had a few workouts with them, but, you know, just seeing them again is definitely a good feeling. going from England to Kentucky, what were some of the biggest adjustments for you off the court and some of the advice that you’d give to Hugo as he makes a similar transition? Yeah, thankfully I was able to go to Drexel first for four years before I went to Kentucky and just there kind of, you know, the roads and different things like that and trying to understand people, but I feel like it’s something, you know, will help you go through, especially coming from Spain. But he seems like he knows a lot of great English already, so he’s he’s a he’s a step ahead than some of a lot of people. But yeah, like you said, just just being around each other. I feel like that always helps and it’s going to help all of us um mold back into being in Boston. So,
you said your last workout was with Boston. How did that go? What would you take from that?
I mean, it was fun just, you know, how Boston do their workouts compared to different teams. So, I feel like that was a fun workout, especially with the guys who were in there and it was Yeah, it was a good environment. What were the differences you noticed in terms compared to other teams?
Um, just the way they do their drills and the order they do it. I feel like a lot of teams did similar drills, but the old is always different. So,
you you’re here. There’s an obvious opportunity that’s opened up at the center spot. You know, you’re on a two-way contract, but how do you feel about your opportunity to maybe make an impression uh on a team that’s that’s been established?
Yeah, I mean, it’s fun, you know, just being able to learn from the older guys, Kayla, who’s been here for quite a while, and just kind of being a sponge and kind of learning as the season goes on. So, it it’ll be a fun year for sure.
Were the Celtics on your radar? You mentioned you had a couple workouts, but as the draft was progressing, were you hoping to hear your name when 46 came around?
Yeah, I mean, there was there was a lot of teams I worked out for, but like you said, just just not knowing where you’re going to end up, but I’m glad that Boston was able to call my name for sure.
Your passing skill set, I would say it stands out. How did you go about developing that? How did that become a big part of your game?
Yeah, a lot of people is saying by playing soccer growing up, that was my first sport. And just, you know, not hitting a gross book till late. I feel like those two things kind of helped my skill set and something that’s helped me get to this level.
What is the summer looking like for you now? Uh I’m not sure. We start practice soon, got summer league, and then we’ll see where it goes from there.
Final question for Amari.
Joe’s tough with rookies,
you know? How do you how do you feel like you can make your impression with a coach that that’s said that you know, he he wants you to earn it?
Yeah. I mean, I feel like every coach I’ve had in the past has been like that. Nothing’s ever going to be given to you in basketball. So just just kind of like I said, taking it day by day, doing the things that got me here and what they expect of me.
Celtics draft pick Amari Williams talked about his chance to play center for the Celtics after Luke Kornet and Kristaps Porzingis departed Boston, and his journey to becoming a second round pick from Kentucky.
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28 Comments
Looks like a good passer for a big. Hopefully he can fit in and develop
I'm high on Amari
He sounds like a mature young man. I hope he can excel and possibly be the big man they need in a couple years.
Bruhhh still waiting for an English player to join the nba who ACTUALLY still sounds English and hasn’t lost their accent due to being in the states for so long. I’m sure some of them force it too… like I know some ENGLISH people who play for American NCAA college basketball teams who have only been there for a year yet they’ve “lost” their accent already.
Damn we are at the point where guys are learning from queta 🙁
Put him in the starting lineup that’s the only way he a develop
Calling this guy, Robert Williams is an insult to Robert Williams. This guy might have measurables but nowhere close to the athleticism. He struggles to get up for lobs. It’s like sometimes he can jump and sometimes he can’t. He doesn’t protect the rim well either especially for that wingspan. He is a bruiser and will be able to rebound and pass. The thing is his passing doesn’t come in the short roll. Which is where we use our bigs. It comes off dhos and him holding the ball at the top of the key while the team cuts. I wouldn’t mind running actions like that here and there but it’s up to Joe and I doubt it. So there is hope. Hopefully we can maximize his skill sets and cut out the fluff.
People gonna hate on these draft picks till we see wat they can do lol. Just like they bitched about holiday not being a conssistant high scorer and KP for not staying healthy for at least 1 whole.season lol but wanna complain because we go ahead of the situations and traded them which im ok with that we already won a ring with those guys nothing else for us to prove with tnem. I like the young new talent we have from drafting and free agency so far
The passing comments reminds me of Robert Williams. Had great court vision.
Noa I have the absolute biggest crush on you
I forgot he was from England, until he started talking
Celtics fans should be very high on Amari Williams. I know he's a 23 year old rookie but he fits the timeframe of the Tatum-Brown duo more than a 19 year old rookie would. He's a great passer; Kentucky had him in a lot of dribble hand-offs, and I think Boston will utilize him in the same way Kentucky did, developing him to be that Kornet replacement. He's also pretty quick for his size, and he is very physical in the post. I think if he can develop his footwork he'd be one of the most dominant bigs in the post.
Flop
Now the Tatum wet down the Cs Can
can recoup in a hurry if they hunt for a 6 ft 11c inch defensive specialist who can run the floor and learn how to shoot 3’s –
At the draft they could have had both Creighton center 7 3” at #32 and the boy from Sanford #34 but instead settled on the center of Kentucky and a 6 5 ‘ white alien from Russia – THEY COULD HAVE HAS 3 7 FOOT CENTERS LIKE THE CREIGHTON CENTER # 32 AND SANFORD CENTER #34 AND NUMBER #57 AMMIRI
JASMINE
Give him and Neemy equal time at center. At end of next season you will know how good/bad they are and you'll be ready for the next.
Some question are really "outstanding"… Yuck…
This guy is going to impress as a rookie. If he plays well, he will earn more minutes on a team that needs a solid big.
Time Lord 2.0 ?
He’s gonna be starting at center for us next season. Hopefully he develops well
Money Mari Williams☘️
Hes cool
Have a feeling he won't be here long. Celtics are desperate for a big
Let’s hope for Luke Kornet 2.0
Britains r lul but shmahhtah. I think this guy is going to be a real steel especially since not only is she English with a high IQ relative to the average American Baller but he’s also started as a futbøl🥅soccer player so he has better Footework than your average big man
I'm excited! He's going to be good, especially when him, and Luka plays together
Time to trade Hauser and Niang get those contracts outta here. Maybe trade Simmons if can get a Power Forward or Center. Maybe even do the big elephant in the room wild trade, trade J Brown for Sabonis and 4-5 1st round Kings picks.
He went to Kentucky of course he is good if he played some where else he would have be drafted early Knicks center Robinson is gonna have his hands full with him
Portland got Yang, we got Amari!