Mikey Williams, one of the early stars of the name, image and likeness era of college sports, appeared via video conference for his arraignment on Thursday. His attorney entered pleas of not guilty on Williams’ behalf for six felony charges of assault with a firearm. The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department said that gunshots were fired at a car that was leaving Williams’ $1.2 million home in unincorporated Jamul in eastern San Diego County on March 27. Five passengers were inside the car, but no one was injured. If convicted on all charges, Williams faces up to 28 years in prison.
Williams, who signed with the University of Memphis in November, played his senior year of high school at San Ysidro High School in San Diego. Memphis coach Penny Hardaway declined to speak about the case in his first media availability since Williams’ arrest, citing respect for the ongoing process. Williams secured a multiyear deal with Puma for an undisclosed amount in 2021, but his name no longer appears in the rankings of NIL valuations by On3.com. Williams will appear in court for a readiness hearing on June 15 and a preliminary hearing on June 29.
