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18 August 2026  8 min read

From Myerscough to Boston: Amari Williams ready to come home with Great Britain

He was a teenager then, still at the beginning of a journey that would take him from Nottingham to Myerscough Basketball Academy to college basketball and ultimately the NBA with the Boston Celtics.

Now, at 23 years old, Williams is preparing to wear that jersey again – this time as a senior international for the first time.

"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.

"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."

That desire has remained clear throughout his time away. Williams has stayed in contact with many of the players in the programme, while Men’s General Manager Dan Clark has maintained a close relationship with him as his career has developed.

"Dan has been great with me. We’ve been in constant communication for a long time, staying in touch about my career and he’s always told me that when it was possible for me he wanted me to come and be a part of the programme.

"He’s made the transition and process very easy for me."

The journey began at Myerscough

Williams' route to the NBA was far from straightforward.

In fact, at one point, even leaving home felt like a daunting step.

At 15, Williams wasn't convinced about moving to Myerscough, despite the academy being only a couple of hours from home. His mum, however, encouraged him to take the opportunity – a decision that would ultimately change the course of his career.

"Staying in the UK to develop as a young player helped my game enormously," says Williams. "I feel like the culture here really let me learn the game at my pace and I don’t feel like that would’ve been the same if I’d gone over to the US for high school.

"I’d never lifted weights before I went there, so even having that strength and conditioning element was new to me and super beneficial. Everything was progressive and it helped me learn and develop at my own rate, which helped ready me for college a lot more than I feel like US high schools might’ve done."

It also taught him how to deal with being away from home. He admits he struggled with homesickness at times, but his parents encouraged him to stick with it.

"That also helped when I went to America because when I got homesick there, I already knew I could deal with it," he says. "So I have a lot to thank Myerscough and the EABL for."

There was another important part of Williams' development taking place at the same time.

He wasn't always a 6'11" centre.

Williams began his basketball journey as a guard, developing the vision, passing and feel for the game that remain important parts of his skill set today. A significant growth spurt around the age of 16 changed his physical profile, but the guard skills stayed with him.

That combination has since become one of his biggest strengths: a player with the size of a traditional big but the ability to see and make reads that many players his size simply cannot.

An unexpected road to the NBA

From Myerscough, Williams headed to the United States, beginning a college career that would take him from Drexel to Kentucky.

"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.

"Maybe midway through my college journey is where my expectations shifted and I really focused on reaching the next level."

The dream became reality when Williams entered the NBA, and the scale of what he has achieved is still something he occasionally has to stop and appreciate.

"To be sat here now less than 10 years later saying I’m playing for the Boston Celtics is crazy."

Playing at TD Garden during his first season helped bring that realisation home.

"Seeing how much the team means to the city, it makes me realise what I’m a part of and it’s very special.

"Each stage of my life has been somewhat unexpected to be honest, but I’m proud as it’s led me to where I am today."

Coming home

Williams may have spent the last seven years away from the Great Britain programme, but he has never felt disconnected from it.

He has remained close with several players and now has the chance to share the court with some close friends.

"Josh Uduje is one of my closest friends. We’ve known each other for a long time, growing up playing together and we also attended Basketball Without Borders together too."

Flynn Boardman-Raffet is another familiar face from his younger days, while Williams grew up watching Amin Adamu, Akwasi Yeboah and Carl Wheatle.

"They’re the same age as my brother who played a lot, so getting to finally play with them is something I’m very excited for."

He'll also share the court with Tosan Evbuomwan, adding another personal connection to his return.

"Knowing Tosan and Josh are going to be playing alongside me is special," says Williams. "It’s a great group we’ve got coming to camp and it’s going to be so fun."

"My mum was always asking me when I was going to play for GB and when I thought it’d be the right time. My family have been so supportive and I’m excited to have them in Newcastle with me for my home debut in a few weeks."

A jersey with history

The significance of pulling on the Great Britain jersey again hasn't been lost on Williams.

"I think the last time I wore one of these we were sponsored by Kappa so that shows how long it has been since I’ve been able to put one of these uniforms on."

Yet while he has been away, he has continued to watch and follow the programme.

"You can see the potential is there and we’re on the verge of something special, so to come back and help build and be a part of that is something I’m very excited for.

"When I put that jersey on against Switzerland I think I’ll be reflecting on the first time I got to represent this team and how excited I was.

"Every time I pull on the jersey or watch the team or anything like that, it’s always that moment I think back to and it’s a very special memory for me."

Now he has the opportunity to create another one.

More than a debut

Williams arrives at camp without any grand expectations about what his role should be.

"Whatever coach needs me to do on the court, I’ll get it done. We have a great group of guys with a lot of talent, so for me I just want to find my role early and do it to the best of my ability. That’s how I can help the team the most."

For a player who has spent years developing his game overseas, returning to represent Great Britain means more than simply adding senior international appearances to his CV.

It is a chance to represent the country that helped set him on his path, while hopefully becoming the kind of player that young British basketball players can look up to in the same way he once looked up to the players ahead of him.

"I represent my country on a daily basis over in the US, and I take pride in that, but to be able to come back and represent at home means an awful lot to me.

"I grew up inspired by the older guys on this team, some of whom are still playing, and the guys in my city, so to come back now and hopefully have that same impact on young players watching, it’s what we do it for.

"I’m dedicated to helping the sport grow in this country. It’s easy to say that you want to do these things and have these impacts, but that’s why it’s important for me to make sure I live up to that and go out there and show how much I want to be a part of this team and help grow and build it for future generations."

Seven years after a teenage Williams last wore the Great Britain jersey in Bosnia, the NBA player is finally coming home.

The journey from a homesick 15-year-old at Myerscough to the Boston Celtics is one he could never have predicted.

Now, he has the opportunity to add another chapter – this time, on home soil, wearing the jersey he has never stopped wanting to wear.

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