Kam Williams update

[TheResistance]

 

[BlueRocker777]

It would be nice to add another shooter in the lineup.

 

[UKWildcats1987]

We could use the depth against Kansas.

 

[OliverSimmonsTwinBrother]

Any updates on Noah and his hamstring?

 

[KYAnywhereEverywhere]

I've been worried that Kam's injury would end up being the kind that never fully goes away. Let's hope he can put game stress on it.

 

[TheResistance]

The Kentucky Wildcats were back in Rupp Arena yesterday afternoon for their final practice before the second game of the regular season.

And Kam Williams was out there with them.

In fact, Williams has been a full participant in UK’s practice sessions for the past week. He jumped into 5-on-5 play last Friday — after several ramp-up days that included strength and conditioning drills, as well as some non-contact play — and there have been no setbacks since.

Williams, who is working his way back from a second surgery to repair a Jones fracture suffered in January, appears to be close to a return to game action. He missed all of the eight-week summer session due to the injury and had been sidelined this fall before slowly working his way back into the mix in recent weeks.

The 6-foot-7 wing was able to do everything his teammates did during yesterday’s session.

He flashed nimble footwork throughout the nearly two-hour practice. He also played with physicality, initiating contact and taking it across the team’s drills. During one portion of practice against the scout team, he drove through traffic to the basket, finishing with a spin move and dunk at the rim.

After playing alongside the backups during walkthroughs, he joined the rest of the team for a fairly intense session of transition drills and then scrimmaged against the starters. Williams played primarily at the 3 spot — with Mason Williams running the point and Braydon Hawthorne at the 2 — while matching up with Milan Momcilovic on both ends during full-court, full-contact 5-on-5 play.

Williams stayed on the court for at least 15 minutes after every other player had wrapped up their post-practice routine, putting up extra shots before heading back to the Rupp locker room.

Tonight’s game against James Madison will be Kentucky’s final tuneup before its first marquee matchup of the season: a date with Kansas in the Champions Classic in Chicago on Tuesday night. UK would surely like to have Williams back for that one, and making his debut tonight would allow him to get a little foundation against outside competition before the Cats face the Jayhawks.

 

[Artlaibesghost]

That's good news
I thought Kam was just starting to show his potential the last couple of games before his injury. If he can give us a few 3s a game it will really open up court for other shooters. Plus I like his attitude, unlike several I have seen in portal era when he got hurt he didn't shut it down for the season but worked hard to get back on the floor last year because his team needed him. I always got room for a guy like that on my team.

 

[*Fox2Monk*]

Don’t rush him. I’d much rather him totally healthy. Rather than have him return fast and rusty and then get hurt again.

 

[HipTer]

Don’t rush him. I’d much rather him totally healthy. Rather than have him return fast and rusty and then get hurt again.

I suspect the "rusty" part will take a while to fix. Before the injury last season, I felt like he was really coming into his own - to the point I wanted him playing over Chandler. Not that I disliked Chandler, it's just that on offense Chandler was basically only being a spot up shooter and defensively, rebounding, and otherwise I thought Kam Williams could provide a little more.

 

[Wildcat_in_DC]

We could use the depth against Kansas.

i bet we see him after the kansas game. let him work back into things against northern arizona and grambling state

 

[Lameguy]

The article said he practiced mainly at the 3 along side Hawthorne who was at the 2. I would have figured the opposite, makes me wonder if thats the long term plan (making Hawthorne a 2 guard)? Not sure if Hawthorne can keep up on defense or if his length will compensate when he gets beat off the dribble.

 

[KYAnywhereEverywhere]

Hawthorne has already been playing the 2 some. Pretty impressive to have a 6'8" 2 guard. Should work out fine on offense. Defense TBT. Let's face it, UK right now needs someone else that can fill some minutes at off guard. Might be because of a "have to" situation, but that might work out really well surprisingly.

 

[Beatle Bum]

The article said he practiced mainly at the 3 along side Hawthorne who was at the 2. I would have figured the opposite, makes me wonder if thats the long term plan (making Hawthorne a 2 guard)? Not sure if Hawthorne can keep up on defense or if his length will compensate when he gets beat off the dribble.

Hawthorne has played the 2 in some game action this year. He was a difference maker against Dior Johnson in the game against UCF at the close of regulation. He has a really good floor awareness and makes good passes (4 assists in the first game). I think he plays 2-4 before his career is over. Not sure about PG, but when he has pulled a rebound, he brings the ball up the floor.

 

[theBlues]

I suggested a month ago that Hawthorne might play some at the two and I got called an idiot by a couple posters and nobody took my side but I stand by it; he's a wing that can play the 2 or 3. Some people just go by height too much when thinking about positions.

 

[gbl97]

 

[Anon1773686487]

This likely means hawthornes mins will vanish sadly

hes better than kam

 

[JASUN74]

It would be nice to add another shooter in the lineup.

Yeah for sure. Kam is going to be huge for us this season and I’m actually excited about his defense as much as his shooting. When he’s healthy and he’s locked in, he can really bring some toughness. Sounds like we’re close.

 

[ThreeDogNight2]

I suggested a month ago that Hawthorne might play some at the two and I got called an idiot by a couple posters and nobody took my side but I stand by it; he's a wing that can play the 2 or 3. Some people just go by height too much when thinking about positions.

Look whos laughing now

 

[loublue22_rivals308424]

Hawthorne should be playing more at the 4.

 

[ScWildcat3]

Hawthorne should be playing more at the 4.

Absolutely not. Way too soft for the 4. He could slide to the 3 at best. Milan has shown he can move his body pretty well on defense. Doesn’t look great but he’s always where he needs to be.

 

[Wunky]

This likely means hawthornes mins will vanish sadly

Not sure how you draw that conclusion. Williams will be eased back in, and Pope knows this season is do or die. He’s going to play whoever is performing the best, and Hawthorne can do things Kam just can’t. He’ll get plenty of clock.

 

[megablue]

This is great news. Hopefully, he will be healthy enough to be close to a full 100% and ready to help the team.

 

[MidseasonTweak]

 

[Beatle Bum]

Glad he got back and got some floor before KU.

 

[tls]

He was physically ready but his game was not