Basketball star Mikey Williams pled guilty to a single count of making criminal threats during a virtual hearing on Thursday, according to Fox 5. The plea stems from a shooting that took place outside of Williams’ home in Jamul, Calif. earlier this year.
The incident occurred prior to midnight on March 27, 2023, and Williams was initially arrested in April. He was originally charged with five separate counts of assault with a weapon and one count of firing into an occupied vehicle. Three additional charges were filed in October.
The situation began as a verbal dispute regarding unwelcome guests, but it escalated when shots were fired at a car that was leaving the area. The car was hit, but no injuries were sustained.
Williams had a firearm in his possession when he was arrested. He was booked into San Diego Central Jail and posted bond. Following his guilty plea, he will be required to complete anger and gun safety courses. Those courses will need to be completed by his sentencing date of Aug. 12, 2024. If Williams successfully completes the courses on time, his charge will be reduced to a misdemeanor.
After starring at San Ysidro High School in San Diego, Williams committed to play for the University of Memphis last November, but he has yet to suit up for the Tigers. The school said in September that Williams didn’t have access to team facilities or activities until his legal situation was settled, though he is listed on the team’s official roster. It remains to be seen how his guilty plea will impact his status at Memphis moving forward.
Williams has been on the radar of college coaches for quite some time. The 19-year-old guard received offers from major schools like Arizona, Arizona State, New Mexico, San Diego and San Diego State before he ever even played a single game of high school basketball. At this point in his career, he’s undoubtedly on the radar of some professional teams and scouts, too.
Williams has an extremely bright basketball future, but his legal issues have been a distraction. As he moves forward in his career, hopefully he can avoid similar mistakes in the future and keep the focus on the court.
