Amari Williams moved to Myerscough when he was just 16 before going on to play for Kentucky in the US. Pic: Myerscough College.
A graduate of Myerscough College Basketball Academy who has been picked up by a major NBA team claims his time in ‘Preston’s farm area’ was key to his incredible sporting journey so far.
Amari Williams made British basketball history when he was selected in the second round of the 2025 NBA Draft in New York at the end of June.
Amari, who became only the sixth UK draft pick ever, was selected by the Orlando Magic with the 46th overall pick. His rights were then traded to the Boston Celtics where he will sign a two-way contact.
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The 7ft tall Myerscough College graduate is originally from Nottingham and moved to Lancashire at the age of 16.
Speaking to the BBC following the draft, he said: “Being in the farm area of Preston there’s not much to do, but that’s where the brotherhood forms.
“We used to wake up at 7.45am just to do shooting practice and then we’d go to class, and come back for shooting practice afterwards.
“My coach and the trainers we had, prepared all of us for when we were to make the next step, whether that was here or in America.”
From Myerscough, Amari signed a full athletic scholarship to play for Drexel University, Pennsylvania, and 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 storied collegiate basketball programmes in the United States.
A total of 16 British players have played in the NBA since its inception in 1946 and Amari is aiming to become the 17th.
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