Amari Williams, a 23-year-old center from Nottingham, has been drafted by the Boston Celtics as the 46th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. This marks a pivotal moment for British basketball, as Williams becomes the third English-born active player in the NBA, alongside Tosan Evbuomwan of the Brooklyn Nets and OG Anunoby of the New York Knicks.

Williams' journey to the NBA began in Nottingham, where he grew up until the age of 18. He then moved to Myerscough College in Lancashire before transferring to Drexel University and later the University of Kentucky in the United States. Standing at 7 feet tall, Williams spent the first four years of his five-year college career with the Drexel Dragons, earning the title of CAA Defensive Player of the Year three times. His transfer to Kentucky saw him average 10.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists last season.

The Boston Celtics, the most successful team in NBA history with 18 championships, are in need of front-court depth, and Williams' arrival is expected to bolster their lineup. He is the second player to join the Celtics in the 2025 draft, following Hugo Gonzalez, a Spanish wing selected as the 28th pick from Real Madrid.

Basketball is rapidly growing in the UK, with over 1.5 million people playing weekly, making it the second most popular team sport. Williams' draft is a testament to the increasing talent pool in British basketball and a significant milestone for the sport in the UK.

Related Topics:

• Basketball
• NBA Draft
• British Sports
• Boston Celtics
• Rising Stars