Mark Pope explains why Amari Williams will thrive with Celtics

Mark Pope embraces Amari Williams on Senior Night at Rupp Arena - Photo by Dr. Michael Huang, Kentucky Sports Radio

Amari Williams was about as unique a player to come through the Kentucky men’s basketball program in some time. But how quickly and seamlessly will his unorthodox skillset translate to the NBA level?

The Boston Celtics took a chance on Williams with the 46th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Early returns in the Las Vegas Summer League have inspired confidence within the Celtics’ fan base. Williams’ head coach during his lone season as a Wildcat has full belief it’ll all come together for the playmaking seven-footer.

“His defensive rebounding is going to translate,” Mark Pope recently told Celtics insider Marc D’Amico. “It’s a perfect transition, I think that’s going to be from day one. He’s going to have a huge impact on the defensive glass.

“I think his ability to switch every ball screen is going to be something that has a massive impact. We ended up not having to switch as much as I thought we would early in the season but his ability to switch and be smart and disciplined with his feet, he’s a terrific athlete. He won some games late for us.”

Pope pointed to Williams’ defense on Cooper Flagg late in the game during Kentucky’s early-season win over Duke as an example of why he can thrive in this league. But the offensive end of the floor is where Williams could separate himself. He essentially served as Kentucky’s point guard at various points during the 2024-25 season. The 23-year-old averaged a career-best in assists (3.2 per game) as a ‘Cat, often initiating the offense and even bringing the ball up the floor.

“I think he’s the only seven-foot point guard that I’ve ever had the opportunity to coach,” Pope said, adding that Williams’ height allowed him an advantage similar to one that taller lead guards receive.

Williams has already produced one highlight clip through his passing from his play in Summer League with the Celtics.

This pass from Amari Williams is just stupid lol pic.twitter.com/UByrK5pcym
— NikNBA☘️ (@__Kingnik) July 11, 2025

Williams posted nine points, three rebounds, and the above assist during 21 minutes in his Summer League debut this past Friday. He went for two points, three rebounds, and two assists in 16 minutes a couple of nights later, but did not play in the Celtics’ third game on Monday due to rest. Pope even made a pitstop in Vegas on Sunday to support Williams and his other former players participating in Summer League.

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Williams is on a two-way contract with Boston, so he’ll likely spend a good chunk of his rookie season in the G League. But opportunities will come during the regular season, especially with the Celtics expected to take a step down following Jayson Tatum’s torn Achilles and the loss of a couple of rotational frontcourt pieces.

“I do think he’s got a chance to grow into a really terrific scorer with all kinds of different finishes around the rim,” Pope added. “His biggest challenge right now is learning the NBA game, it translates pretty well from what we do, it’s just the talent level in that league is so huge. He’s bringing his strengths to the league.”

There are seemingly endless tools in Williams’ bag of tricks. The only skill he doesn’t truly hold right now is the ability to shoot from deep. But he managed to succeed at Kentucky and in the Southeastern Conference without it. The Celtics will hope it carries over to the NBA.

“He fit us. He fit the way that we want to play and what we do,” Pope said. “He’s a modern-day center in the sense that he’s so skilled. He’s such an elite-level passer. He’s incredible off the bounce. He’s got great defensive presence. He’s one of the top defensive rebounding centers in the country, the year before he got to us, and continued on with that.

“He just was a modern-day center in terms of being physical, having rim protection, being able to rebound, and then being a great playmaker, which became essential for us as we went through the season last year.”

Boston’s next Summer League matchup is set for Thursday night at 9:00 p.m. ET against Bronny James and the Los Angeles Lakers. Kentucky fans hoping to get a look at Williams before his NBA career officially begins this fall can watch him in action on ESPN.