Kam Williams explains why he committed to Kentucky early in transfer window

Tulane forward Kam Williams contributed a stellar freshman season for the Green Wave in 2024-25, averaging 9.3 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. Williams was named to the AAC All-Freshman Team and quickly entered the Transfer Portal following the season, ending up at Kentucky just three days later on March 28.

Williams was the first portal addition this offseason for a Kentucky program which reached the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since the 2018-19 season. The Wildcats’ transfer class is ranked No. 2 in the country, consisting of Williams, Florida guard Denzel Aberdeen, Alabama forward Mouhamed Dioubate, Pittsburgh guard Jaland Lowe, Arizona State forward Jayden Quaintance and Miami (OH) center Reece Potter.

The Lafayette, LA opened up about his decision to join the Kentucky program earlier this week.

“I noticed that they had a lot of seniors and a lot of players that were leaving,” Williams said. “I knew that I could fit the play style that coach [Mark] Pope has and I didn’t want to waste any time and let other people jump in my spot pretty much. Really thought I could capitalize on that specific day.”

Kam Williams praises Pope’s roster building

Four of Kentucky’s five starters from last season have departed the program, leaving just guard Otega Oweh as the Wildcats’ lone returning starter. Other than Oweh, Pope returns three other continuers in forward Brandon Garrison, forward Trent Noah and guard Collin Chandler.

“I was happy I [transferred to Kentucky] early because I didn’t want anybody to take my spot,” he continued. “As I kept seeing more people start enrolling here, it was just something that I could see us building a great team here with the return of the returning guys here. Coach Pope really built a great team to help us get that No. 9 [National Championship].”

Expectations for Williams are sky-high in Lexington this season, as ESPN has him listed as their projected No. 46 overall pick in their way-too-early 2026 NBA Mock Draft. He seems set up to be a major contributor for a Kentucky program that is seeking its first Final Four appearance since 2015 this season.

“Kam is a beautiful kid who is not only an elite-level shooter but also an elite 1-through-4 defender,” Pope said in a press release announcing Williams’ signing. “He has a ton of gravity to his game and has untapped athleticism that is going to make his ceiling really high.”