Although No. 14 Kentucky fell 98-84 to No. 25 Ole Miss on Tuesday night, there was a silver lining in the Wildcats’ defeat. Graduate center Amari Williams etched his name into the record books by becoming the first seven-footer in Division I men’s college basketball in the last 20 years to record a triple-double, as noted by UK’s Corey Price.
Williams delivered an impressive stat line, finishing with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in just 26 minutes of play. Securing a triple-double is a rare feat, and achieving it in a 14-point loss makes it all the more remarkable.
Williams arrived in Lexington this offseason after a standout four-year career at Drexel, where he earned the title of Colonial Athletic Association Defensive Player of the Year three times and led the conference in blocks for three consecutive seasons. Since joining the Wildcats, he has quickly established himself as a key contributor. Over Kentucky’s last five games, he has scored in double figures four times, recorded 11 or more rebounds in four matchups, and has shot an efficient 14-of-20 from the field in the past two contests.
His proven defensive prowess as a three-time CAA Defensive Player of the Year gives Kentucky hope that he can be a difference-maker on that end of the floor as they head into the final nine games of the regular season. Despite the loss, the Wildcats did manage to out-rebound Ole Miss 37-29, a testament to Williams’ impact on the boards.
In a game where Kentucky struggled to find momentum, particularly in the first half, and Ole Miss seemed to be in complete control, Williams’ achievement stood out as an extraordinary accomplishment. His presence will be crucial for the Wildcats as they look to finish the season strong and sharpen their defense heading into postseason play.
