Kam Williams found golden opportunity with Kentucky Wildcats
Kam Williams knew a golden opportunity when he saw one.
After watching Kentucky’s guards thrive in Year 1 under Mark Pope, Williams was the first player to join the Wildcats’ elite transfer portal class when the offer was extended in March.
“I noticed that they had a lot of seniors and a lot of players that were leaving, and I knew that I would fit the play style that coach has, so I didn’t want to waste no time and let other people jump in my spot,” Williams said on Tuesday during a Q&A session with the local media.
“I felt like I could fill one of those roles fast, then they could go fill what they needed.”
Once on board, Williams, a 6-foot-8 swingman who averaged 9.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.3 assists as a freshman at Tulane, saw the rest of the UK roster develop just as he envisioned it.
Piece by piece, a championship contender was being constructed.
“With the returning guys, we can help us get to that No. 9 (national title at Kentucky),” he said.
Wanted: Sharp-shooters
If the Cats make a run in the 2025-26 season, Williams will play a big role. He shot 41.2% from the 3-point arc last season with Tulane, and that skill will be needed after UK bid farewell to sharpshooters Koby Brea and Jaxson Robinson.
He knocked down three or more 3-pointers in nine games for the Green Wave, including a 6-of-8 night against UAB. On two other occasions, he knocked down five treys.
Williams won’t hesitate to tell you who the best shooter on the UK roster is.
“I think I’m going to win every single shooting contest we have,” he said with a smile. “It’ll be me, and then Trent (Noah) as my best competition.”
As further evidence that he picked the right school, Williams says his new coach sometimes has to encourage him to shoot more.
“I had a couple of instances in practice where I didn’t shoot it, and I kinda slowed the ball down,” he said. “(Pope) got on me and said be confident, shoot the ball. That’s what I brought you here for.”
Not just a one-trick pony
But shooting isn’t the only tool he brings to the table. Williams might also be the longest, bounciest athlete that the Cats have, which lends itself to being an impact player on both ends of the floor.
“Kam is a beautiful kid who is not only an elite-level shooter but also an elite 1-through-4 defender,” Pope said when announcing Williams’ signing earlier this spring. “He has a ton of gravity to his game and has untapped athleticism that is going to make his ceiling really high.”
The Lafayette, La., native is embracing the label of a “3 & D” player that NBA scouts are eager to find in today’s game.
Williams averaged 1.4 blocked shots and 1.1 steals per game last season. He had three games with three or more blocked shots and six games with three or more steals.
His skills on that end of the floor would have been a welcome addition for Pope last year. UK struggled with its defensive efficiency numbers for most of the season.
“I would say coach needs shooters and defenders (for his system), and my prototype would be shooting and defending,” Williams said. “So I would say I fit that category pretty good.”
UK’s NBA resume was attractive
Kentucky currently has the most former players in the NBA, including this year’s MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Williams noted that he was aware of the Cats’ deep pro roster before ever coming to Lexington.
“(Pope) was saying that he loved my game, and he felt like the way that I play, he can put that in his system and make me a better player and help me get to the NBA,” he said.
“They sent the most players to the league, and my goal is to get to the NBA, so I really thought that coming here could help me reach that.”
Asked what he’s learned about his new coach since arriving at UK, Williams said: “He cares about his players a lot, loves his guys, and he wants us to be great.”