AoC Monthly Spotlight: Myerscough College alumni makes basketball history

Myerscough College Basketball Academy alumni Amari Williams made British basketball history when he was selected in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft in New York last month.

Williams, who became the sixth homegrown draft pick, was selected by the Orlando Magic with the 46th overall pick before being traded to the 2024 NBA Champions, the Boston Celtics.

Neal Hopkins, Head of Basketball at Myerscough College said:

"This really is unprecedented. Amari becomes the sixth home grown British basketball player to be drafted into the NBA.

"It is a brilliant illustration of how effective a further education college can be in allowing a young person to balance their academic ambitions against the flexibility required to train as an elite athlete.

"Amari was able to establish the perfect environment at Myerscough and hopefully his success will help inspire the next generation to follow his pathway."

Williams, who signed a full athletic scholarship out of Myerscough to play for Drexel University in Philadelphia, was a three-time Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) Defensive Player of the Year, a two-time First-Team All-CAA selection and a three-time CAA All-Defensive Team pick in four years in Philadelphia. As a freshman, he helped the Dragons capture their first conference tournament title in 25 years.

His career at Drexel was a springboard to Kentucky men’s basketball, one of the most prestigious collegiate basketball programmes in the United States.

Williams went on to average an efficient 10.9 points on 56.1% shooting to go with 8.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists in 22.8 minutes per game in 36 contests wearing the famed Kentucky Wildcats jersey.

Williams recorded just the fourth 'triple double' in program history with 12 points, 11 rebounds and a career-high 10 assists against the University of Mississippi.

He finished the season as one of 14 active players to record 1,000 career rebounds and points.

The graduate senior quickly became a fan favourite with his passing ability and intensity on the court, while he was a recognized figure in the community. He helped the Wildcats reach a record 45th National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Sweet 16 - the famed college basketball tournament.

The Wildcats have produced 30 current NBA players, the most of any college.

Across 141 games that spanned a five-year collegiate career, Williams totalled 1,472 points and 1,038 rebounds. He tallied 286 assists, 230 blocks and 106 steals. He started 81.6 percent of games, including every game—98 straight starts—over his final three seasons.

A total of 16 British players have played in the NBA since its inception in 1946—Williams aims to be the 17th; an ambition everyone in Preston and across the country will be cheering on.