Drexel University Athletics
Photo by: Rafael Suanes/CAA
Williams Selected to Represent Great Britain in World Cup Qualifiers
6/23/2022 4:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
PHILADELPHIA – Amari Williams of the Drexel men's basketball team has been selected to represent Great Britain in the World Cup Qualifiers against Greece and Turkey. Team Great Britain, consisting of 24 players, plays Greece on Thursday, June 30.
"Our coaching staff has really enjoyed following Amari's development at Drexel University," Great Britain's Men's National Team assistant coach Jamie Smith said. "Amari is coming off a transformative sophomore season where he's gone from playing a limited role off the bench as a freshman to earning a starting spot midway through his sophomore year. It's a testament to Amari's hard work this season that he is the only undergraduate student named in our 24-man squad for our FIBA World Cup Qualifiers against Greece and Turkey."
Williams, one of three players listed on the team who currently attends an NCAA Division I school, secures his first spot on the national team after a dominant performance for the Dragons in the 2021-22 season. The sophomore was named the Colonial Athletic Association's Defensive Player of the Year and was named Third Team All-CAA after leading the conference in blocked shots and was third in rebounds per game with 7.4. The forward tallied 9.5 points per contest and shot .521 from the floor.
"This announcement for Amari validates the growth and progress that he has made so far at Drexel," said head coach Zach Spiker. "We will continue to support opportunities for our international players to represent their native countries. We wish Great Britain and Amari the best of luck as they compete against Turkey and Greece."
The Nottingham, England native is no stranger to the national competition circuit. Williams was a member of Great Britain's U20, U18 and U16 teams. The sophomore isn't the first Drexel player to play on the Great Britain national team as Mate Okros also played for the U15, U16 and U18 teams.
"We really appreciate it when university coaches are open to releasing their players for national team duty in the summer," Smith continued. "Coach Spiker and Drexel University have been first class in their support of Mate Okros and Amari Williams and allowing them to pursue their National Team aspirations."
"Our coaching staff has really enjoyed following Amari's development at Drexel University," Great Britain's Men's National Team assistant coach Jamie Smith said. "Amari is coming off a transformative sophomore season where he's gone from playing a limited role off the bench as a freshman to earning a starting spot midway through his sophomore year. It's a testament to Amari's hard work this season that he is the only undergraduate student named in our 24-man squad for our FIBA World Cup Qualifiers against Greece and Turkey."
Williams, one of three players listed on the team who currently attends an NCAA Division I school, secures his first spot on the national team after a dominant performance for the Dragons in the 2021-22 season. The sophomore was named the Colonial Athletic Association's Defensive Player of the Year and was named Third Team All-CAA after leading the conference in blocked shots and was third in rebounds per game with 7.4. The forward tallied 9.5 points per contest and shot .521 from the floor.
"This announcement for Amari validates the growth and progress that he has made so far at Drexel," said head coach Zach Spiker. "We will continue to support opportunities for our international players to represent their native countries. We wish Great Britain and Amari the best of luck as they compete against Turkey and Greece."
The Nottingham, England native is no stranger to the national competition circuit. Williams was a member of Great Britain's U20, U18 and U16 teams. The sophomore isn't the first Drexel player to play on the Great Britain national team as Mate Okros also played for the U15, U16 and U18 teams.
"We really appreciate it when university coaches are open to releasing their players for national team duty in the summer," Smith continued. "Coach Spiker and Drexel University have been first class in their support of Mate Okros and Amari Williams and allowing them to pursue their National Team aspirations."
Players Mentioned
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