NBA ace Amari Williams set for senior international debut
From Myerscough to the NBA, basketball star Amari Williams prepares for Great Britain debut
Former Preston student Amari Williams will complete his basketball journey this week when he makes his senior debut for his country.
The 6ft 11in Nottingham native arrived in Lancashire at the age of 16 to continue his education at Preston-based Myerscough College.
Now just seven years later, Williams is a budding talent for NBA side Boston Celtics in the United States of America.
Rubbing shoulders with legendary names such as LeBron James, of the Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry, the 24-year-old has featured 22 times for Celtics in the NBA this season.
He is a graduate of Drexel University where he starred for the Drexel Giants before moving on to play for the Kentucky Wildcats.
Last year, he was selected in the second round of the 2025 NBA draft with the 46th pick by the Orlando Magic and traded to the Boston Celtics.
And his burgeoning career in the States has caught the attention of national selectors, who have picked him for this weekend’s fixture against Slovakia for the FIBA EuroBasket 2029 Pre-Qualifying in Newcastle.
It is Williams’ first senior call-up, although he has represented GB at youth level.
It’s all a far cry from a few years ago when he reluctantly left home and arrived in Preston, persuaded by his mum to pursue his basketball career.
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The move to the North West proved pivotal in developing both his basketball and his character.
After his time at the academy, he headed to the States, playing college basketball for Drexel and Kentucky before fulfilling his dream of reaching the NBA.
Williams said: "I never really expected myself to reach the NBA when I was a young player, but when I was at college it became more of a reality to me that I could reach that level and be a part of those teams.”
His rise has been remarkable. Having originally started out as a guard, a significant growth spurt saw Williams develop into a 6ft 11in centre, while retaining the passing ability and court vision of his earlier years.
Now, after several years away from the GB programme, Williams is excited to finally represent his country at senior level.
The opportunity also carries personal significance. He will reunite with several players he has known throughout his career, while his family will finally see him fulfil a long-held ambition of playing senior international basketball.
For Williams, however, the return is about more than simply wearing the GB jersey. He hopes to help the national team succeed while inspiring the next generation of British players who are dreaming of following a similar path.
"I’ve wanted to be involved in the programme for the whole time I’ve been away, so when I realised this summer everything finally lined up for me to be able to come to camp, I was just excited” he enthused.
"Coming to camp during the college season isn’t possible, then the summers are difficult too because Kentucky for example always started in August and last summer I was drafted, but I’ve always wanted to and I’m glad to finally be here."