Amari Williams

Body looks simply tremendous. Brings the ball up and has considerable ball skills at 6’9. Seems like he doesn’t really wants to take all that banging inside. He won’t be a guard but 4/3 tweener and needs inside & outside impact. A lot of lazy habits but a lot of potential at the same time.

Amari Williams (02) 6’9 Myerscough / Class of 2020 – The Point-Forward

Yet another member of the GB U16 roster that competed in Sarajevo last summer, Amari Williams is one of the most intriguing UK-based prospects thanks to his game approach and playmaking upside at 6’9. The lefty fills up the line up as a frontcourt player but only in name. His traits bode well with the wing initiator role, as he is skilled on the ball with notable length and big hands, and plays mostly facing up, looking to involve others into the game.

Amari works best playing alongside another Myerscough bigman (Sanmy Fajana or Sam Keita) who primarily establishes position deep, giving Williams the freedom to roam around the three point line, look for a drive or act as a high-post passing point-forward. On some occasions, he will go to work in the paint, but he’s not particularly dangerous with his back to the basket, lacking real incisive post- moves, mostly turning to his right and finishing with the left hand. Instead, when in the post, Williams will let his passing instincts do the talk, holding and waiting for cuts or kicking out.

Behind the arc Amari plays the role of the stretch-big waiting for a catch and shot. Stationary at times, he shows a hot-cold motor in those situations, rarely attacking mismatches or taking smaller guys in the zone. Instead, he might rush deep shots with long percentages, and some work is needed on his range and the speed and flow of his mechanics. His jumpshot lacks elevation and power, and also balance when lining-up shoulder and arm. Of course, he still hits threes, but improving his motion and upgrading his FT form would increase his scoring options and threat.

Some questions arise with Williams’ apparently lack of athleticism and power on the back of past knee issues. His size, passing and skill however show he can really play and enhance half-court sets and transitions with versatility and high IQ. On the defensive end, his speed and reactions can improve, but he still poses a degree of awareness, which combined with his length makes him an interesting shot-blocker. Also his size comes handy in the low-blocks to match and contain other bodies, but toughness on the glass and improving rebounding instincts are a must.

Although an attractive prospect in the modern point-forward mould, Amari Williams is still a work in progress in a few basic concepts of the game, and will need to put all his talent, size and effort to fulfil his potential as a balling forward with the pros. He’s surely in the right place to do so, and this summer with the GB U18 program promises to be an interesting one in his development.