Drexel transfer Amari Williams has committed to Kentucky, his agent George Langberg of GSL Sports Group told ESPN on Sunday.
Williams chose the Wildcats over Mississippi State, with St. John’s eliminated from consideration earlier in the weekend. He visited Lexington this weekend, and Mark Pope secured his first big transfer commitment. Williams is a three-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year winner and earned first-team CAA honors in each of the past two seasons. He averaged 13.7 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in the 2022-23 season and put up 12.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in the past campaign.
Williams tallied eight double-doubles this past season, including 12 points and 15 rebounds against West Virginia. He also went for 20 points and eight boards against NCAA tournament participant Charleston.
Williams is the lone upperclassman on Kentucky’s roster, with incoming freshman Travis Perry and Collin Chandler the only other players locked in to suit up for the Wildcats at this point in the cycle. The other five members of Kentucky’s 2024 class have reopened their recruitments, while D.J. Wagner, Aaron Bradshaw, Zvonimir Ivisic, Adou Thiero, Jordan Burks and Joey Hart all entered the transfer portal.
Projected lottery picks Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard entered the NBA draft, and Antonio Reeves and Tre Mitchell are out of eligibility. Projected first-round pick Justin Edwards has not announced a decision.
Pope was announced as Kentucky’s new head coach earlier this month, replacing John Calipari, who left for Arkansas. Pope, who spent five years as BYU’s head coach, was the captain on Kentucky’s 1996 national championship team under Rick Pitino.
Alijah Martin, part of FAU’s Final Four run, joining Florida
Florida Atlantic transfer Alijah Martin has committed to play at Florida next season, he told ESPN on Sunday.
“I wanted to stay in the South to play in the SEC, the strongest conference in America,” Martin said. “I wanted a chance to be a primary ball handler and compete for a national title, at a program known for NBA talent and developing players for the next level.”
Martin, a graduate transfer with one year of eligibility, said he committed to coach Todd Golden and the Gators over Michigan, Alabama, Arkansas, Ole Miss and USC.
Martin was a catalyst of FAU’s Final Four run in 2023, being named to the all-tournament team after several electric performances, including a 26-point, 7-rebound outburst in a narrow loss to San Diego State in the Final Four.
He was an all-conference selection in each of the past three seasons and averaged 13.1 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game in 2023-24, helping Florida Atlantic return to the NCAA tournament. Florida Atlantic coach Dusty May departed for Michigan following a first-round NCAA tournament loss to Northwestern, causing a mass exodus from the roster.
Martin is a career 37% 3-point shooter and a tenacious defender who has authored many highlight-reel-caliber dunks the past few years with his impressive explosiveness.
He will be expected to play a key backcourt role for Florida alongside All-SEC guard Walter Clayton next season, as starting point guard Zyon Pullin exhausted his NCAA eligibility.
“I’ve paid attention to what Coach Golden and his staff have done for other guards who have transferred to their system, and I love the idea of playing with the type of players they have,” Martin said. “Florida plays at a fast pace just like the NBA. It was obvious that they can help me reach my NBA dreams better than any program. I’m pumped to be a part of Gator Nation. Everyone I know from Mississippi to Boca Raton knows what I’m talking about.”
This is the third transfer player Florida has added this offseason, along with frontcourt players Rueben Chinyelu from Washington State and Sam Alexis from Chattanooga.
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