Boston Celtics Rookie Details Growth Spurt That Helped Him Make NBA
Boston’s rookie center, **Amari Williams**, revealed that a late growth spurt was instrumental in altering his basketball path—and ultimately helping him earn a spot in the NBA.
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### 📏 From Guard to Center
Williams originally played as a point guard, showcasing ball-handling and playmaking skills early in his youth. However, once he hit his growth spurt, his height and frame transformed both his role and potential. He transitioned from a smaller perimeter player to a modern big man—a shift that caught the attention of scouts and college coaches alike ([SI][1]).
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### 🧠 Inspired by Jokic
Having grown into his new body, Williams began modeling his game after elite playmaking centers. He specifically named **Nikola Jokic** as an inspiration once he understood how to read defenses and facilitate offense from the big position. His early experience as a guard gave him a unique advantage in anticipation and passing, skills he polished during his time at Kentucky and now showcases in Summer League ([SI][1]).
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### ☑️ How That Sparked His Journey
* **Guard instincts**: His point guard background allows him to see plays develop and make crisp outlet or dump-off passes.
* **Size boost**: The growth spurt added the height and length needed to compete among college and NBA bigs.
* **Hybrid center development**: Combining new size and point-guard intelligence made him an attractive draft target and a fitting fit in Boston’s evolving frontcourt.
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### 🏀 Early Signs in Summer League
Though still early in Summer League play, Williams has already recorded multiple assists—evidence of his playmaking transfer from a guard to a center role. While numbers are modest so far, his court vision and decision-making have stood out to coaches and teammates .
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### 🔍 Final Take
Amari Williams’ late growth spurt didn’t just add inches—it completely changed his trajectory. It unlocked a unique skill set for a center: the ability to pass, see the floor, and run offense intelligently. With that foundation and inspiration from players like Jokic, he has earned a credible shot at meaningful minutes in Boston’s frontcourt.
Keep watching—you may just see another unconventional big-man success story emerge in Beantown.
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