Amari Williams' dominance in Maine translating to big minutes in Boston

PORTLAND, Maine. - Amari Williams was challenged to 'Stay Ready' for his opportunities with the Celtics. After taking advantages of big minutes in Boston, the challenge to the rookie center now is to 'Be Dominant.'

The Two-Way big man spent the majority of the Tip-Off Tournament portion of the G League schedule with the Maine Celtics, where Williams' potential was on display. The former Kentucky Wildcat was top-10 in the G League in rebounds and blocks, helping Maine reach the Winter Showcase Tournament. In 10 games during the Tip-Off slate, Williams averaged 12.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.8 blocks per game. Not bad for a rookie, but Maine Head Coach Phil Pressey was looking for more.

"I tell Amari he has to dominate. His physical stature. He's imposing," Pressey said. "He's a huge human being, but at times he thinks him being big is enough. But he has to impose his will every single night, especially in the G League. I know he has aspirations of playing for a long time in the NBA, so when you're in the G League, he has no other option but to dominate every single night. That's my challenge to him."

Consider that challenge accepted. Since the start of the new year, Williams has asserted his dominance against G League opponents. The rookie center posted back-to-back, 30+ point double-doubles on January 2 and January 3, setting new career-highs in scoring and rebounds with 33 points and 16 rebounds on January 3 against Capital City. Prior to that point, Williams had never scored 30 points or more at any level in his basketball career.

"I think the coaching staff instilled in me to be aggressive," Williams said. "Go out there and be nasty. Don't let anyone push me off my spots."

Praised by Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens as an 'Offensive Hub," Williams has shown that in addition to rebounding and rim protection, the 7-foot center is also an elite passer. He's recorded two triple-doubles in the G League this season, and that passing prowess has caught the eyes of his teammates both in Maine and in Boston.

"He's probably our best playmaker and he's seven feet tall," said Maine forward Jalen Bridges.

Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard recently said, "We’ve gotta use Amari more for his passing ability because he can really pass."

Maine hasn't seen Williams quite as much since the start of the new year. That dominance in the G League has translated to meaningful minutes with the big club in Boston. It started on November 26, when Williams played 15 minutes and made key defensive plays down the stretch to help the Celtics snap a 13-game winning streak for the Eastern Conference leading Detroit Pistons.

"It trickles down to the connectivity of Maine and the work that Phil (Pressey) does and their assistants," Boston Celtics Head Coach Joe Mazzulla said after the win.

"I mean the first time against Detroit I was nervous I'm not going to lie," Williams said on the surreal feeling of playing in the NBA. "Now, I feel like every game is the same. Just being ready and knowing that whatever happens, happens." 

In January, Williams was asked to step up more than ever before in Boston. He made his first career NBA start on January 24 against the Chicago Bulls, and logged 10+ minutes four times, seemingly setting new NBA career-highs every time he stepped on the floor. The organization has a system in place to support the rookie along the way. Williams said Boston and Maine share a lot of the same terminology, and many of his Celtics teammates can relate to the position that he's currently in as a Two-Way player.

"We run a lot of the same plays so it's great knowing a lot of the plays and Luka (Garza) and Neemias (Queta) were both Two-Ways, too. Them being in my head the whole time definitely helps," Williams explained.

“Our system is constantly changing, and so you have to be able to make reads on the fly on both ends of the floor, and it's a credit to him and our player-development staff, but also to his teammates,” Mazzulla said. “He's with (Neemias Queta, Xavier Tilliman, Chris Boucher) and the rest of the bigs that we have, and those guys do a great job just communicating with him and kind of showing him the lay of the land based on how it's been for them the last couple years.”

Selected with the 46th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Williams became one of three, active British born player in the NBA. The 24-year-old from Nottingham, England is also the first British born player in Boston Celtics history. When he is with the team in Maine, Williams gets a chance to reunite with another British born player, Tosan Evbuomwan. Evbuomwan has appeared in 50 NBA games, and was acquired by the Maine Celtics on January 14. Williams and Evbuomwan have spent time together previously during national team camps and share a goal to inspire other basketball players in the United Kingdom.

"The game continues to grow in the UK, and we just want to do our part," Evbuomwan said. "We just want to give back that way and show it's possible to play at this level and thrive at this level."

Evbuomwan hopes one day he and Amari can be teammates not just in Maine, but also on the English national team competing on a global stage. For now, he's enjoying watching his fellow countryman contribute to winning in a big way in Boston.

"He's doing great and has to keep going. Keep hammering it home and leave no doubt. It's a tough league to stick in, and he knows that. He's showing that he's very capable of playing at that level and he still has a lot more to grow into and he's only going to get better."