Mikey Williams’ career, even before stepping foot on a college court, has been quite dramatic. Known for his basketball skills and early endorsement deals, the rising star was on everyone’s radar as the next big thing. But his career took a detour—one filled with legal troubles. Now, playing at UCF, just when fans were ready to see him light up the court, it seems like his troubles aren’t quite done yet.

Back in March 2023, the 20-year-old, fresh off a stellar high school career at San Ysidro, found himself in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. On March 27, he was accused of firing shots at a car with five passengers outside his Jamul home in San Diego. Thankfully, no one was injured, but the situation quickly escalated. 

By April 13, Williams was arrested and released on a $50,000 bond. The charges were pretty hefty. He was staring down decades in prison if convicted. But in August 2023, the baller pleaded guilty to a criminal threats charge, which was reduced to a misdemeanor under a plea deal. 

The court gave him one year of summary probation, required 80 hours of volunteer work, and mandated anger management and gun safety courses. His attorney, Randy M. Grossman, was quick to defend his client, saying Mikey never shot at anyone and had been giving back to the community long before this case. 

Grossman even called his future “extremely bright” and expects him to shine on the court. But things didn’t exactly go as he planned. Williams, originally committed to Memphis, couldn’t join the Tigers because of the ongoing legal issues. Instead, he found a fresh start at the University of Central Florida (UCF). 

And fans had high hopes for him to bring his A-game. But just as everyone was ready to see him bounce back, he got sidelined for the first ten games of the season due to an undisclosed injury. Fans are now left scratching their heads with mixed opinions. 

Mixed fan reactions as Mikey Williams’ NBA dreams fade amid legal troubles

“He had so much potential and maybe a NBA career but he had to go and ruin it trying to be NBA Young Boy ,” a fan wrote. The guard was the first American high school basketball player to sign a multiyear deal with Puma in 2021. It was put off due to his legal troubles, though. But if we think about it – he had everything lined up. Even big names like Drake, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant were following him on Instagram. 

His potential to go pro seemed like a lock. But then the shooting incident happened. Another user echoed the same sentiment, “Saddest thing in life is wasted talent.”  Williams was a standout in high school, putting up great numbers. In his freshman season, he averaged 29.9 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.6 steals per game.

Then, in his senior season, he posted 23.8 points, 9.2 assists, and 3.2 rebounds, solidifying himself as a four-star recruit. The talent was undeniable, and he had the tools to make it big. So one still seems hopeful. “I think he’s still gonna make it to the league. It’s looking rough tho.”

Meanwhile, others didn’t want to jump to conclusions too quickly. “Never seen an injured player before?” one penned. 

Well, they believe it’s just a reportedly foot injury. Injuries happen in sports, and they can hit at the worst time. If anything, he’s got time to recover, work on his game, and come back stronger than ever. We never know if it’s really his legal situation that’s affecting his playing status. 

A fifth added, “20-year-old freshman btw.” This age thing has been a debate in college sports for a while. Mikey is 20, and some fans think that’s too old for a freshman. But the bottom line is the hooper has got a lot to prove, and maybe his age will work to his advantage in terms of maturity and experience. Let’s see when Mikey returns to the court!