Memphis basketball recruit and likely NBA prospect Mikey Williams, 19, avoids jail time by pleading down in shooting case after facing 30 years: ‘I’m excited to get back to the court’

Top college basketball recruit Mikey Williams appears to have avoided prison time by pleading guilty to a single count of making criminal threats in connection with a shooting outside his San Diego-area home last March. He had faced a possible 30-year sentence if convicted on all six gun-related charges. 

The 19-year-old Memphis Tigers guard was arrested in April on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon following the March 27 altercation. Nobody was hurt in the incident, although a car was hit with bullets as it drove away from Williams’ home. 

Now, if he completes anger and gun safety courses by August 24, the criminal threats charge will be reduced to a misdemeanor.

‘It’s all over,’ Williams was seen saying after court in a video posted by Overtime Elite, a basketball league for 16- to 20-year-olds. ‘I feel good, brother. All the glory to God. I’m just happy that I made it out of this situation. I’m just excited to get back to the court.’

It’s unclear if or when Williams will become available for Tigers coach Anfernee Hardaway, the former Orlando Magic star who is now coaching at his alma mater, Memphis. A team spokesman did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com’s request for further comment.

Williams has been enrolled in online classes, but had yet to practice with the basketball team as he had been asked to remain away from the program.

The March 27 shooting happened at the $1.2 million home Williams purchased in unincorporated Jamul in eastern San Diego County.

An argument just before midnight ended with gunshots being fired at a car that was leaving the house with five passengers inside it, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department said in a news release. Bullets hit the car, but nobody inside was injured, authorities said.

The shooting was reported to authorities the next day. Officers executed a search warrant at the home and arrested Williams on April 13. He was arraigned on April 20 and appeared via video conference after his attorney, Troy P. Owens, cited security concerns. Owens entered pleas of not guilty on Williams’ behalf.

Mikey Williams drives to the basket during the Pangos All-American Camp on June 6, 2022

Williams was one of the name, image and likeness era’s earliest stars, securing a multiyear deal with shoe and athletic apparel maker Puma for an undisclosed amount in 2021. He had millions of followers across his social media platforms before apparently deactivating them.

On3.com once estimated his NIL valuation at $3.6 million, but Williams’ name no longer appears in the rankings after several brands backed off following his legal issues.

Williams played his senior year at San Ysidro High School in San Diego and signed with Memphis in November.