SUCCESS STORY: Amari Williams ready to come home with Great Britain

He also pulled on a Great Britain jersey for the first time at the U16 European Championships in Bosnia.

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

Now, at 23 years old, Amari is preparing to wear that jersey again – this time as a senior international for the first time, as Team GB prepare to play Slovakia in Newcastle this coming Sunday (August 30^th).

Last week, Amari returned to his roots, taking part in a training session at the High Performance Centre at Myerscough’s main Preston centre, being put through his paces by coaches Neal Hopkins and Mike Bernard, and assisted by a group of recent basketball students.

At 15, Amari wasn't convinced about moving to Myerscough, despite Myerscough being only a couple of hours from home in Nottingham. 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," he said.

"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. 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.

From Myerscough, Amari headed to the United States, beginning a USA 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 he 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.

"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."

Now, while Amari may have spent the last seven years away from the Great Britain programme, he says 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.

"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."

"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.

"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."

"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."

We wish Amari the very best of luck on Sunday with Team GB.

Find out more about basketball studies at Myerscough College here