In a move that blends heart with hustle, newly signed Boston Celtics two-way player Amari Williams is already making waves both on and off the court. The 22-year-old forward, fresh off securing his NBA two-way contract, is using his first professional paycheck not on luxury cars or designer fashion—but to bring clarity to his name and empower others to do the same.
Williams announced today that he is donating his entire first NBA paycheck to a coalition of nonprofit organizations focused on youth literacy, heritage education, and name reclamation programs for underserved communities.
“A name carries history. It carries culture, and for some of us, it carries questions,” Williams said in a press conference held outside the TD Garden. “For a long time, I didn’t know the full story behind mine. Now that I do, I want to make sure every kid growing up wondering about their name, their roots, their identity—gets the chance to find that clarity.”
A Statement That Resonates
Williams’ story is one that many young athletes and fans can relate to. Born and raised in Philadelphia to a single mother, Amari always felt a disconnect between his name and his roots. After a deeply personal journey of reconnecting with estranged family members and tracing his ancestry back through generations, Williams says he found a renewed sense of identity—and he wants others to experience the same.
His donation, reported to be just over $580,000, will be split among three initiatives:
- The “Know Your Name” Project – A new Boston-based pilot program offering free DNA testing and ancestry tracing for Black and Brown youth.
- The Read Your Roots Foundation – A literacy initiative that blends reading proficiency with cultural storytelling and history.
- The Rename Fund – A legal aid fund that helps individuals change or reclaim names lost due to slavery, colonization, or immigration barriers.
Celtics Embrace the Message
Celtics Head Coach Joe Mazzulla praised Williams’ maturity and leadership.
“You don’t see this often—someone just getting started, already thinking beyond the game. Amari’s impact is going to be bigger than basketball,” said Mazzulla. “He’s the kind of person you want representing this franchise.”
Front office officials confirmed that the organization plans to match a portion of Williams’ donation and explore ways to embed similar identity-based initiatives into the team’s community outreach programming.
The Bigger Picture
Though Williams has yet to log official minutes for the Celtics, his presence is already being felt across Boston. Social media erupted following the announcement, with #KnowYourName trending on X (formerly Twitter) and influencers, activists, and fellow athletes applauding the young star’s vision.
Former NBA champion and cultural commentator Jalen Rose chimed in on ESPN’s NBA Today:
“This brother just got to the league and is already thinking legacy. That’s powerful. You can’t teach that.”
What’s Next for Amari?
While many rookies spend their early weeks adjusting to the league, Williams is navigating it with purpose. He says his focus remains on earning minutes and learning from the Celtics’ veteran core. But off the court, he’s already a trailblazer.
“Basketball is the dream,” Williams said. “But knowing who I am? That’s the foundation. And I want to help others build theirs too.”
