{"id":77707,"date":"2025-08-12T18:03:09","date_gmt":"2025-08-12T18:03:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/77707\/"},"modified":"2025-08-12T18:03:09","modified_gmt":"2025-08-12T18:03:09","slug":"celtics-expected-to-sign-best-passing-big-in-college-basketball","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/77707\/","title":{"rendered":"Celtics Expected To Sign Best Passing Big in College Basketball"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\t\t\t\t<img width=\"780\" height=\"439\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/GettyImages-1398200031-e1750657897772.jpg\" class=\"attachment-featured-image size-featured-image wp-post-image\" alt=\"Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics\"   decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPhoto by Michael Reaves\/Getty Images\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p>Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"155\" data-end=\"527\">The <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nba\/boston-celtics\/\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-start=\"159\" data-end=\"221\">Boston Celtics<\/a> are set to finalize their roster construction with the expected signing of <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/amari-williams\/\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-start=\"297\" data-end=\"359\">Amari Williams<\/a> \u2014 the 46th overall pick who assistant GM <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/CelticsCLNS\/status\/1938441153457664105\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external nofollow\" data-start=\"401\" data-end=\"468\">Mike Zarren<\/a> called the \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/CelticsCLNS\/status\/1938441153457664105\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external nofollow\">best passing big man in college basketball<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"350\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">After clearing a two-way contract slot by waiving <a href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/n\/norrimi01.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external nofollow\">Miles Norris<\/a>, Boston is positioning Williams as their next developmental piece. The 23-year-old British center brings exactly what the Celtics covet. Elite defensive upside. Exceptional court vision. And the kind of versatility that could quietly become essential to their championship aspirations.<\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The Celtics have waived Miles Norris. They presumably now have two-way spots to sign Amari Williams and RJ Luis.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Noa Dalzell \ud83c\udfc0 (@NoaDalzell) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NoaDalzell\/status\/1954654732368396448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">August 10, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The Williams Profile<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"959\" data-end=\"1115\">Williams isn\u2019t your typical late second-round pick. The former Kentucky standout boasts a rare 7-foot-6 wingspan that instantly caught Boston\u2019s attention.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1117\" data-end=\"1346\">\u201cHe\u2019s one of the best passing big men in college for a long time,\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/CelticsCLNS\/status\/1938441153457664105\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external nofollow\">Zarren said after the draft<\/a>. \u201c<a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/CelticsCLNS\/status\/1938441153457664105\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external nofollow\" data-start=\"1214\" data-end=\"1342\">When you meet him, you\u2019ll see that he has an enormous, enormous wingspan<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1348\" data-end=\"1663\">In his final season at Kentucky, Williams averaged <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.basketball-reference.com\/players\/w\/william01.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener external nofollow\" data-start=\"1399\" data-end=\"1522\">10.9 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 3.2 assists on 56% shooting<\/a>. While the numbers don\u2019t leap off the page, his defensive instincts and passing ability make him an intriguing fit in Joe Mazzulla\u2019s system.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1665\" data-end=\"1868\">The 6-foot-10 big man will join <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/og-anunoby\/\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-start=\"1697\" data-end=\"1751\">OG Anunoby<\/a> and <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/jeremy-sochan\/\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-start=\"1756\" data-end=\"1816\">Jeremy Sochan<\/a> as the only active British-born players in the NBA.<\/p>\n<p>Perfect Fit in Boston<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"1906\" data-end=\"2253\">His arrival comes at the right time for a Celtics team dealing with frontcourt turnover. With <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/al-horford\/\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-start=\"2000\" data-end=\"2054\">Al Horford<\/a>, <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/luke-kornet\/\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-start=\"2056\" data-end=\"2112\">Luke Kornet<\/a>, and <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/kristaps-porzingis\/\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-start=\"2118\" data-end=\"2188\">Kristaps Porzingis<\/a> all gone, Boston\u2019s rotation has meaningful minutes up for grabs.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2255\" data-end=\"2626\">Williams will slot into a big-man group featuring <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/neemias-queta\/\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-start=\"2305\" data-end=\"2365\">Neemias Queta<\/a>, <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/luka-garza\/\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-start=\"2367\" data-end=\"2421\">Luka Garza<\/a>, <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/xavier-tillman\/\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-start=\"2423\" data-end=\"2485\">Xavier Tillman<\/a>, and <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/chris-boucher\/\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-start=\"2491\" data-end=\"2551\">Chris Boucher<\/a>. Even on a two-way deal, he could carve out real playing time next season.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"2628\" data-end=\"2970\">He\u2019ll likely join <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/max-shulga\/\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-start=\"2639\" data-end=\"2693\">Max Shulga<\/a> and <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nba\/boston-celtics\/celtics-sign-veteran-forward-solve-front-court-issues\/\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-start=\"2698\" data-end=\"2811\">RJ Luis Jr.<\/a> as Boston\u2019s two-way players, alongside first-round pick <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/nba\/player\/hugo-gonzalez\/\" target=\"_new\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-start=\"2868\" data-end=\"2928\">Hugo Gonzalez<\/a> as part of the team\u2019s developmental core.<\/p>\n<p>What\u2019s Next for the Celtics?<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"0\" data-end=\"184\">Williams is expected to officially sign in the coming days. He gives Boston a unique blend of length, passing, and defensive versatility to work with in Maine and on the main roster.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"186\" data-end=\"350\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\">In a league where depth matters more than ever. The Celtics may have found a late-second-round gem. One who could contribute sooner than expected.<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/author\/keithwatkinsnba\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Keith Watkins<\/a> Keith Watkins is a sports journalist covering the NBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, and Los Angeles Lakers. He previously wrote for FanSided, NBA Analysis Network, and Last Word On Sports. Keith is based in Bangkok, Thailand. <a href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/author\/keithwatkinsnba\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">More about Keith Watkins<\/a>\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\tMore Heavy on Celtics\n\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\n\t\t\t\tLoading more stories\n\t\t<\/p>\n<p>\t\t\t\t\t<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Photo by Michael Reaves\/Getty Images Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics The Boston Celtics are set to finalize their roster&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":77708,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[68],"tags":[402,398,400,401,99],"class_list":{"0":"post-77707","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-ncaa-basketball","8":"tag-basketball","9":"tag-ncaa","10":"tag-ncaa-basketball","11":"tag-ncaabasketball","12":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77707","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77707"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77707\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/77708"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77707"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=77707"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=77707"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}