According to Mikey Williams’s attorney, the University of Memphis indicated that his return to the basketball program was “not a priority,” which is why the former top prospect and social media sensation decided to use the transfer portal this week.
Following a plea agreement in his gun case on November 30, Williams expressed his wish to play for Memphis this season in a statement provided to Yahoo Sports on Wednesday night by his lawyer Troy P. Owens.
Weeks passed, according to Owens, and Memphis ceased answering Williams’ questions on his whereabouts. Williams then found out that his eligibility to play for Memphis in the 2024–25 basketball season would be determined by the committee that was looking into his case.
Owens stated, “Mr. Williams did not even think that this was a topic for discussion.” “As a result, he acted right away to safeguard his chances of participating in college basketball in the 2024–2025 campaign.”
Williams’s arrest for alleged assault with a lethal weapon in the spring of last year put his basketball future in risk. Williams allegedly threatened to shoot guests who showed up unexpectedly late at night at his $1.2 million hilltop house east of San Diego. Then, when they were driving away, he is accused of firing a revolver at their car, breaking the back windshield and damaging the trunk, but without injuring any of the six occupants.
Williams could have spent up to 30 years in prison if found guilty of the nine felonies he was initially charged with, but his lawyers were able to work out a plea agreement that spared him from that punishment.
Williams agreed to a plea agreement that included 80 hours of community service, cognitive behavior therapy, gun safety training, and anger management programs. Prior to his sentencing hearing on August 12, if Williams satisfactorily fulfills those conditions and no additional legal concerns arise, the solitary felony charge against him will be reduced to a misdemeanor.
Coach Penny Hardaway of Memphis basketball expressed support for Williams during his legal dispute, but Williams did not participate in team practices or games. Though he was still on the roster and enrolled in online classes, the much-heralded incoming freshman was not allowed to participate in team activities or facilities.
Williams made the decision to leave Memphis, according to Owens, in order to “protect his athletic future.”
Owens told Yahoo Sports, “Mr. Williams faced the possibility of missing two years of basketball had the committee ruled that he could NOT play in the 2024–2025 season.” “Mr. Williams was not willing to take a chance on this.”
Williams’ decision was made public on the same day that JJ Taylor, his old high school teammate, also declared his intention to leave Memphis and use the transfer site. Williams and fellow four-star prospect Taylor made their commitments to Memphis in November 2022.
Williams’s social media celebrity has garnered significant attention for his transfer, both in Memphis and abroad. Before he ever participated in a high school basketball game, Williams, a youthful sensation who was hailed as the finest player in the 2023 class, gathered more than one million social media followers. As a junior in high school, he signed a big, first-of-its-kind endorsement deal with Puma, making him one of the early faces of the name, image, and likeness era.
Williams’ fame had already started to wane prior to his incarceration, though. When he stopped competing in significant grassroots competitions and performed poorly during his senior year, he fell to No. 71 in Rivals’ final Class of 2023 rankings. NBA scouts’ interest in him waned, and he was dropped from recruitment by many elite institutions.
Although Williams’ future plans are unknown, it seems likely that he will continue to play collegiate basketball. Owens said to Yahoo Sports on Thursday morning in response to a question about Williams’ potential to turn pro and play in the G-League or abroad: “At this time, Mr. Williams is only considering NCAA basketball options.”
Leave a Reply