Mikey Williams, a four-star guard who had signed to play for the Memphis Tigers, is expected to face legal hurdles, which will likely put a shadow over his much-anticipated debut season. With his arraignment scheduled on Oct. 24, questions arise regarding his participation in the upcoming basketball season for the Memphis Tigers.
On Tuesday, a California superior court judge cleared the way for the gun charges against Williams to proceed to trial. This decision is rooted in the incident that took place outside Williams’ California residence on March 27. Following this incident, Williams was taken into custody in April on charges that included five counts of assault with a weapon and one count of firing a gun into an occupied vehicle. Williams submitted a not-guilty plea, stating his innocence.
Mikey Williams ordered to stand trial in California for 6 felony gun charges — Arraignment date is Oct. 24 😳 pic.twitter.com/GkHrpmplPg
— SAY CHEESE! 👄🧀 (@SaycheeseDGTL) October 11, 2023
The seriousness of these charges suggests serious consequences for Williams personally and also for his college basketball career. The Memphis athletic department, as a direct response to this ongoing legal issue, announced last month that Williams would not be a part of the team while these legal complexities remain. The department’s release did confirm, however, that Williams is still listed on the team’s roster and is presently enrolled in online courses.
Coach Penny Hardaway expresses support as Mikey Williams faces legal challenges
Despite the legal problems involving one of his star recruits, Penny Hardaway, the head coach of the Memphis Tigers, provided a calculated response during a recent public appearance. This was Hardaway’s first public statement since Williams’ initial hearing.
“I think we’re just still waiting,” Hardaway said when asked about any potential changes to the program considering the recent developments. He further added that if there were any changes to their initial decision, they would have already taken place. Hardaway also shared that he had been in contact with Williams earlier this week, encouraging the young player to stay strong. The message was, “Keep your head up and stay locked in.”
Latest Update On Mikey Williams ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/3wesUfZJSL
— The Hoop Spill (@TheHoopSpill) October 11, 2023
This developing drama comes at a bad time for the Memphis Tigers, as they prepare for the new season. The team is scheduled to play its first exhibition match on Oct. 29, followed by the regular season opener on Nov. 6. The season-opening match is particularly important, as the Tigers are set to host Jackson State at the FedExForum.
The coming weeks are looking crucial for both Williams and the Memphis Tigers. Whether Williams will wear the Tigers jersey this season remains to be seen.