View source for Mikey Williams (basketball, born 2004)

{{Short description|American basketball player (born 2004)}}
{{distinguish|Mikey Williams (basketball, born 1991)|Mike Williams (basketball)}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Mikey Williams
| image = Mikey Williams Compton Magic (cropped).jpg
| caption = Williams in 2019
| number = 1
| team = UCF Knights
| position = [[Shooting guard]] / [[point guard]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2004|6|26}}
| birth_place = [[San Diego, California]], U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lb = 193
| high_school = * [[San Ysidro High School|San Ysidro]]<br/>(San Diego, California)
* Lake Norman Christian<br/>([[Huntersville, North Carolina]])
| college = [[UCF_Knights_men%27s_basketball|UCF]] (2024–present)
| highlights =
| conference = [[Big 12 Conference]]
}}
'''Michael Anthony Williams''' (born June 26, 2004) is an American [[college basketball]] player for the [[UCF Knights men's basketball|UCF Knights]]. He previously played for Vertical Academy, Lake Norman Christian High School, in [[North Carolina]] and [[San Ysidro High School]]. He had committed to play for the [[Memphis Tigers men's basketball|Memphis Tigers]].
==Early life==
Williams first held a [[basketball]] when he was 11 months old and grew up playing under the guidance of his father and mother.<ref name="strain">{{cite web |last=Strain |first=Todd |title=Seventh Grade Hooper Mikey Williams Owns Top Spot in National Rankings |url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/San-Diego-Basketball-Prodigy-Outranks-LeBron-James_-Son-481702701.html |publisher=[[KNSD]] |access-date=September 21, 2019 |date=May 3, 2018}}</ref> In his childhood, he mainly played on an outdoor court in his apartment complex. In elementary school, Williams was often involved in fights with bullies.<ref name="pierno">{{cite web |last=Pierno |first=Ian |title=Mikey Williams Is Coming for the League |url=https://www.slamonline.com/the-magazine/mikey-williams-story/ |website=[[Slam (magazine)|Slam]] |access-date=September 21, 2019 |date=June 6, 2019}}</ref> He worked as a [[ball boy]] for [[San Ysidro High School]] head coach Terry Tucker, who said that "he couldn't keep (Williams) out of the gym."<ref name="brand">{{cite web |last=Brand |first=Steve |title=San Ysidro High freshman Mikey Williams draws national focus |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/high-school-preps/story/2019-08-10/san-ysidro-high-freshman-draws-national-focus-mikey-williams |website=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]] |access-date=September 21, 2019 |date=August 10, 2019}}</ref> In sixth grade while playing with the San Diego Sharks, Williams had his first official game dunk at 12 years old (April 15, 2017).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Malu |first=Selina |date=November 5, 2021 |title=Mikey Williams |url=https://hunterblueprint.com/7356/sports/mikey-williams/ |access-date=August 16, 2022 |website=The Blueprint}}</ref> He went on to play for the Malcolm Thomas All-Stars [[traveling team|travel team]].<ref name=strain/> In seventh and eighth grades, he was ranked the number one player in the 2023 class by the Naismith National Youth All-American Report.<ref name=strain/><ref name="newman">{{cite web |last=Newman |first=Logan |title=Mikey Williams, an eighth grader, just threw down a windmill dunk |url=https://usatodayhss.com/2018/mikey-williams-an-eighth-grader-just-threw-down-a-windmill-dunk |website=USA Today High School Sports |access-date=September 22, 2019 |date=September 30, 2018}}</ref> In eighth grade, Williams joined the North Coast Blue Chips [[Amateur Athletic Union]] (AAU) team, where he rose to fame while playing alongside [[Bronny James]] the son of basketball player [[LeBron James]].<ref name=pierno/> In 2019, he played for the Compton Magic on the AAU circuit.<ref>{{cite web |title=Mikey Williams Makes AAU Debut with Compton Magic! |url=https://www.slamonline.com/slam-tv/mikey-williams-makes-aau-debut-with-compton-magic/ |website=[[Slam (magazine)|Slam]] |access-date=June 30, 2020 |date=April 1, 2019}}</ref>
==High school career==
As a freshman, Williams played for [[San Ysidro High School]] in [[San Diego]].<ref name="kusi">{{cite web |title=Meet Mikey Williams, the top-ranked eighth grade basketball player in the country!
|url=https://www.kusi.com/meet-mikey-williams-the-top-ranked-eighth-grade-basketball-player-in-the-country/ |publisher=[[KUSI-TV]] |access-date=September 22, 2019 |date=May 9, 2019}}</ref> On November 20, 2019, he made his high school debut, recording 46 points, five rebounds, four assists and four steals in a 98–46 win over [[El Cajon Valley High School]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Mikey Williams Scores 41 in High School Debut |url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/mikey-scores-41-in-high-school-debut_san-diego/2177418/ |publisher=[[KNSD]] |access-date=June 30, 2020 |date=November 21, 2019}}</ref> In his next game, an 85–77 victory over [[Mission Bay High School]], Williams scored 50 points.<ref>{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Cam |title=Mikey Williams levels up, scores 50 in second game while |url=https://usatodayhss.com/2019/watch-mikey-williams-levels-up-scores-50-in-second-game |publisher=USA Today High School Sports |access-date=June 30, 2020 |date=November 25, 2019}}</ref> On December 13, he scored a career-high 77 points, making nine [[three-pointers]], in a 116–52 win over [[Kearny High School (California)|Kearny High School]]. He broke the [[CIF San Diego Section]] (CIF-SDS) single-game scoring record, previously held by Tyrone Shelley since 2005, and set the state freshman record for single-game scoring.<ref>{{cite web |last=Tennis |first=Mark |title=Mikey Williams: Freshman hits for 77 |url=https://www.calhisports.com/2019/12/14/mikey-williams-freshman-hits-for-77/ |publisher=CalHiSports |access-date=June 30, 2020 |date=December 14, 2019}}</ref> On January 10, 2020, Williams recorded 35 points in a 103–71 loss to top 2020 recruit [[Evan Mobley]] and Rancho Christian School, one of the best high school teams in the country.<ref>{{cite web |last=Maffei |first=John |title=National power schools San Ysidro |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/high-school-preps/story/2020-01-10/national-power-schools-san-ysidro |website=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]] |access-date=June 30, 2020 |date=January 10, 2020}}</ref> He led San Ysidro to the CIF-SDS Division III title on February 27.<ref>{{cite web |title=High school basketball freshman phenom Mikey Williams helps San Ysidro win first section title |url=https://www.maxpreps.com/news/cGrf6RWuBkGY3PauZKKYww/high-school-basketball-freshman-phenom-mikey-williams-helps-san-ysidro-win-first-section-title.htm |publisher=[[MaxPreps]] |access-date=June 30, 2020 |date=February 27, 2020}}</ref> As a freshman, Williams averaged 29.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 4.9 assists per game and was named [[MaxPreps National Basketball Player of the Year awards#Freshman of the Year|MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Divens |first=Jordan |title=MaxPreps 2019-20 Boys Basketball Freshman All-American Team |url=https://www.maxpreps.com/news/7_wtaf1svkaQeeIUm_XPYA/maxpreps-2019-20-boys-basketball-freshman-all-american-team.htm |publisher=[[MaxPreps]] |access-date=June 30, 2020 |date=April 3, 2020}}</ref>
Entering his sophomore season, Williams transferred to Lake Norman Christian School in [[Huntersville, North Carolina]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Wertz |first=Langston Jr. |date=September 21, 2020 |title=One of the nation's top prep basketball players is moving from California to Charlotte |url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/high-school/article245903960.html |access-date=September 21, 2020 |website=[[The Charlotte Observer]]}}</ref>
On April 9, 2022, Williams announced that he would return home to San Diego and play for his original high school, San Ysidro High School, for his senior year.<ref>{{cite web |last=De Silva |first=Bodie |date=April 9, 2022 |title=5-star guard Mikey Williams will return to San Ysidro High School for senior season |url=https://news.scorebooklive.com/california/2022/04/09/5-star-guard-mikey-williams-will-return-to-san-ysidro-high-school-for-senior-season |access-date=April 10, 2022 |website=news.scorebooklive.com}}</ref>
===Recruiting===
Williams was considered a four-star [[college recruiting|recruit]] in the 2023 class by [[247Sports]], [[ESPN]] and [[Rivals.com|Rivals]]. He received offers from many [[NCAA Division I]] programs, including [[Arizona Wildcats men's basketball|Arizona]] and [[Arizona State Sun Devils men's basketball|Arizona State]], before starting his high school career.<ref name="bossi">{{cite web |last=Bossi |first=Eric |title=2023 Intro: High flyer Mikey Williams |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/2023-intro-high-flyer-mikey-232142576.html |publisher=[[Yahoo Sports]] |access-date=September 22, 2019 |date=August 25, 2019}}</ref> In June 2020, Williams was offered basketball scholarships by several [[historically black colleges and universities]] (HBCU) after showing interest in playing for an HBCU on social media.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Eisenberg |first1=Jeff |last2=Peek |first2=Krysten |title=Why Mikey Williams is considering an HBCU, a move that could shake up college basketball |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/mikey-williams-considering-an-hbcu-a-move-that-could-shake-up-college-basketball-150047572.html |publisher=[[Yahoo Sports]] |access-date=June 30, 2020 |date=June 4, 2020}}</ref>
On November 5, 2022, Williams committed to play for the [[University of Memphis]] for head coach [[Penny Hardaway]], starting in 2023–24.<ref>{{cite news |last=Zeigler |first=Mark |date=November 5, 2022 |title=San Ysidro High basketball star Mikey Williams announces his college commitment |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/high-school-preps/story/2022-11-05/basketball-mikey-williams-san-ysidro-high-memphis-tigers-commit-jj-taylor-puma-nike |work=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]] |location=[[San Diego, California]] |access-date=November 6, 2022}}</ref>
{{College Athlete Recruit Start|40=no|collapse=no|year=2023}}
{{College Athlete Recruit Entry
| recruit      = Mikey Williams
| position     = [[Point guard|PG]]
| hometown     = [[San Diego, CA]]
| highschool   = Lake Norman Christian (NC)
| feet         = 6
| inches       = 1
| weight       = 185
| 40           =
| commitdate   = —
| scout stars  =
| rivals stars = 4
| 247 stars    = 4
| espn stars   = 4
| espn grade   = 86
}}
{{College Athlete Recruit End
| 40               =
| year             = 2023
| rivals ref title =
| scout ref title  =
| espn ref title   =
| rivals school    =
| scout s          =
| espn schoolid    =
| 247 overall      = 52
| rivals overall   = 71
| espn overall     = 49
| access-date       = January 20, 2021
| bball            = yes
}}
== College ==
On November 5, 2022, Williams committed to play for the University of Memphis for head coach Penny Hardaway, starting in 2023–24.
However, he never joined the basketball team stemming from a criminal investigation in California, where Williams was facing gun charges and shooting at trespassers at his property. He did enroll in online courses at the University of Memphis, however.
In late December 2023, Williams' charges were reduced to volunteer work and was cleared to play college basketball.
On January 8, 2024, Mikey Williams and fellow Memphis Tigers freshman JJ Taylor both entered the NCAA transfer portal mid-season.
On January 12, 2024, Williams announced he was transferring to the University of Central Florida (UCF).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Borzello |first=Jeff |date=2024-01-12 |title=Mikey Williams lands at UCF after Memphis exit |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/39295492 |access-date=2024-09-15 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref>
==Personal life==
Williams' father, Mahlon, played basketball for [[Sweetwater High School (National City, California)|Sweetwater High School]], where he was an All-CIF-SDS selection. His mother, Charisse, played [[softball]] for [[Kearny High School (California)|Kearny High School]] and [[Hampton Pirates and Lady Pirates|Hampton University]].<ref name=brand/>
===April 2023 arrest===
On April 13, 2023, Williams was arrested in [[Jamul, California]], on five charges of [[assault with a deadly weapon]]; he was released on $50,000 bail the following day.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/high-school-preps/story/2023-04-14/man-fitting-local-basketball-star-mikey-williams-description-arrested-on-gun-charges|title=Man matching local basketball star Mikey Williams' description arrested on gun charges|work=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]]|first=Mark|last=Zeigler|date=April 14, 2023|access-date=April 14, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10072383-memphis-commit-mikey-williams-arrested-facing-charges-of-assault-with-deadly-weapon|title=Memphis Commit Mikey Williams Arrested, Facing Charges of Assault with Deadly Weapon|work=[[Bleacher Report]]|first=Scott|last=Polacek|date=April 14, 2023|access-date=April 14, 2023}}</ref> [[San Diego County Sheriff's Office]]'s Lieutenant Gavin Lanning said Williams is likely to face only one charge, carrying a maximum sentence of up to four years in prison (minimum six months).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Borzello |first1=Jeff |last2=Medcalf |first2=Myron |name-list-style=and |date=April 14, 2023 |title=Memphis basketball recruit Mikey Williams faces gun charge |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/36188492 |access-date=April 14, 2023 |website=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> On April 14, 2023, the University of Memphis released a statement saying, "We are aware of the situation and are gathering more information." On April 20, 2023, Williams pleaded not guilty to multiple charges of assault with a deadly weapon. Due to security concerns, his attorney said the court appearance was virtual. Williams is accused of violating California penal code Chapter 9, Section 245(a)(2), which involves "any person who commits an assault upon the person of another with a firearm." According to police, Williams fired a gun at a car full of people following an altercation at his residence. Each count can carry up to four years in prison.<ref>{{cite web |last=Medcalf |first=Myron |date=April 20, 2023 |title=Memphis recruit Mikey Williams pleads not guilty in shooting case |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/36247699 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=[[ESPN]]}}</ref> Williams was initially required to appear either in-person or virtually on June 29, 2023, for a preliminary hearing, but the hearing was subsequently rescheduled to July 12, 2023, after his legal team told a judge they needed more time after receiving additional information regarding the incident.<ref>{{cite web |date=April 20, 2023 |title=Superstar San Diego Basketball Prospect Mikey Williams Enters Plea on Felony Firearm Charges |url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/superstar-san-diego-basketball-prospect-mikey-williams-enters-plea-on-felony-firearm-charges/3212492/ |access-date=April 20, 2023 |website=[[NBC 7 San Diego]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Braxton |first=Avery |date=June 15, 2023 |title=Tigers top recruit Mikey Williams' gun charge hearing postponed |url=https://www.localmemphis.com/article/sports/tigers-top-recruit-mikey-williams-gun-charge-hearing-postponed-memphis/522-dbd47e44-0629-4ea5-ac75-a15bd17d759d |access-date=July 3, 2023 |website=[[ABC24 Memphis]]}}</ref> On July 6, 2023, his hearing was postponed for a second time in less than a month, with a new hearing date scheduled for September 5, 2023.<ref>{{cite web |last=Munz |first=Jason |title=Memphis basketball: Mikey Williams' preliminary hearing postponed until September |url=https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/college/memphis-tigers/2023/07/07/memphis-signee-mikey-williams-court-hearing-postponed-again-report/70393320007/ |website=[[The Commercial Appeal]] |date=July 7, 2023 |access-date=August 6, 2023}}</ref>
On September 5, 2023, the hearing was postponed for a third time, until October 10, 2023.<ref>{{cite web |last=Vessels |first=Chandler |title=Mikey Williams' preliminary gun charges hearing again postponed |url=https://www.on3.com/news/mikey-williams-preliminary-gun-charges-hearing-again-postponed-memphis |website=On3 |date=September 5, 2023 |access-date=September 12, 2023}}</ref> As a result of the hearing, Judge Sherry M. Thompson-Taylor ordered Williams to stand trial on six felony gun charges and scheduled his arraignment for October 24, 2023. Judge Thompson-Taylor denied the prosecution's request to increase Williams' bail to $500,000 and allowed Williams to remain free on a $50,000 bond.<ref>{{cite web |title=Memphis' Mikey Williams ordered to stand trial on gun charges |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/38627511 |website=[[ESPN]] |date=October 10, 2023 |access-date=October 12, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Boone |first=Kyle |title=Memphis guard Mikey Williams ordered to stand trial as prized recruit faces six felony gun charges |url=https://www.cbssports.com/college-basketball/news/memphis-guard-mikey-williams-ordered-to-stand-trial-as-prized-recruit-faces-six-felony-gun-charges |website=[[CBS Sports]] |date=October 11, 2023 |access-date=October 12, 2023}}</ref> During his October 24 arraignment, three additional felony charges were filed against Williams: one count of assault with a weapon and two counts of making threats.<ref>{{cite web |date=October 24, 2023 |title=Memphis recruit Mikey Williams facing more charges in shooting case |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/38736968 |access-date=30 November 2023 |website=[[ESPN]]}}</ref>
On November 30, 2023, Williams pled guilty to one charge. Williams evaded jail time and is sentenced to deal with his misdemeanor by taking classes.<ref>{{cite web |date=November 30, 2023 |title=Memphis recruit Mikey Williams reaches plea deal in gun case; no jail time expected
|url=https://apnews.com/article/mikey-williams-memphis-plea-deal-1ef35d8b96c77b7cf0f3b090c94ce8db |access-date=16 December 2023 |website=apnews.com }}</ref>
===Social media and endorsements===
Williams has established a large social media following. He had over one million [[Instagram]] followers before starting high school.<ref name="daniels">{{cite web |last=Daniels |first=Evan |title=Mikey Williams has the game to match his immense fame |url=https://247sports.com/Article/Mikey-Williams-Kobe-tattoo-highlights-stats--143053804/ |publisher=[[247Sports]] |access-date=June 30, 2020 |date=January 30, 2020}}</ref> By the end of his freshman year of high school, he had almost 2 million followers on Instagram, including musician [[Drake (musician)|Drake]] and [[NBA]] players [[LeBron James]] and [[Kevin Durant]].<ref name="evans">{{cite web |last=Thamel |first=Pete |author-link=Pete Thamel |last2=Evans |first2=Corey |last3=Peek |first3=Krysten |date=May 22, 2020 |title=How Bronny James, Mikey Williams emerged as faces of basketball's next generation |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/how-bronny-james-and-mikey-williams-have-emerged-as-the-face-of-basketballs-next-generation-035043335.html |access-date=September 15, 2024 |publisher=[[Yahoo Sports]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Williams |first=Mikey |title=New Mikey Williams Blog: New offers, Workouts with Bronny, 3.8 GPA and More |url=https://www.si.com/college/recruiting/basketball/mikey-williams-blog-hbcu-quarantine-bronny-recruiting-pandemic |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |access-date=June 30, 2020 |date=June 5, 2020}}</ref> Williams had accumulated 3.2 million followers on Instagram by the end of his sophomore year in high school.
On July 22, 2021, Williams signed a contract with Excel Sports Management to pursue [[Name, Image and Likeness]] endorsement opportunities.<ref>{{cite web |last=Taylor |first=Cody |date=July 22, 2021 |title=Mikey Williams signs with sports agency to pursue NIL opportunities |url=https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/2021/07/22/mikey-williams-name-image-likeness-excel-sports/ |access-date=July 22, 2021 |website=usatoday.com}}</ref>
On October 28, 2021, Williams signed a multi-year endorsement deal with [[Puma (brand)|Puma]], making him the first American high school basketball player to sign a sneaker deal with a global footwear company, at 17 years old.<ref>{{cite web |last=DePaula |first=Nick |date=October 28, 2021 |title=Mikey Williams, 17, signs historic footwear and apparel deal with Puma |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32500553 |access-date=October 28, 2021 |website=ESPN.com}}</ref> Puma ended Williams' endorsement deal as a result of his pending legal issues.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Eisenberg |first1=Jeff |date=November 30, 2023 |title=The rise and fall of Mikey Williams |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/the-rise-and-fall-of-mikey-williams-145149876.html |access-date=November 30, 2023 |website=[[Yahoo! Sports]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Ziegler |first=Mark |date=October 27, 2023 |title=Mikey Williams ordered to stop social media posts about gun case |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sports/story/2023-10-27/mikey-williams-basketball-gun-case-trial-social-media-rylo-rap-lyrics-randy-grossman-puma-memphis-tigers |access-date=November 14, 2023 |work=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]]}}</ref>
==Notes==
{{Notelist}}
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*[https://gotigersgo.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/mikey-williams/11080 Memphis Tigers bio]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Mikey}}
[[Category:2004 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:American men's basketball players]]
[[Category:Basketball players from San Diego]]
[[Category:Point guards]]
[[Category:Shooting guards]]
[[Category:21st-century American sportsmen]]