The Boston Celtics looked to infuse their roster with some young talent in the 2025 NBA Draft earlier this offseason, as they selected three players to join their team. The second of those three picks was Amari Williams, a center who previously played for the Kentucky Wildcats.
At his best, Williams has shown he can be an anchor in the paint on both sides of the ball, while also displaying unique passing abilities for a big man. In his lone season with Kentucky, Williams averaged 10.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game while shooting 56.1% from the field.
The British center’s ability to dish the rock from the top of the key is part of what makes him an intriguing prospect. With that in mind, it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that Denver Nuggets superstar center Nikola Jokic is his favorite big man in NBA history.
Simply put, the NBA has never seen another player like Jokic. Despite playing at the center position, Jokic has turned himself into one of the best passers in the game, while also scoring bundles of points and hauling in a slew of rebounds.
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Last season, Jokic averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game for the Nuggets while shooting 57.6% from the field. If it weren’t for a remarkable season from Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jokic would have won his fourth MVP Award in five seasons.
Jokic’s ability to facilitate offense from all over the floor is something that Boston could look to do with Williams. While he doesn’t command as much attention from opposing defenses as a scorer, his ability to identify cutting off-ball teammates and get them the ball is something the team can tap into.
Jokic is the gold standard when it comes to playmaking big men in the NBA, so it’s great to see that Williams looks to him with such high regard. And if he can prove that he can dissect NBA-level defenses right out of the gate, Williams could earn playing time immediately for Boston as a rookie.
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Featured image via Alonzo Adams/Imagn Images
