Memphis men’s basketball signee Mikey Williams is being linked to an arrest Thursday afternoon on five felony counts of assault with a firearm, according to multiple reports.
Michael Anthony Williams, whose birthdate is listed as June 26, 2004 on an arrest report obtained by NBC 7 San Diego, was released on $50,000 bail shortly after midnight Friday. According to a copy of the arrest report obtained by NBC 7 San Diego, Williams was booked at 3:24 p.m. PT. The arrest report lists Williams as 6-foot-3, 180 pounds.
NBC 7 San Diego reported it provided multiple photos of Williams to a sheriff’s department spokesperson. The spokesperson said those photos matched the booking photo for the person the sheriff’s office had in custody. Williams is due in court April 20, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Text messages sent by The Memphis Commercial Appeal, an affiliate of the USA TODAY Network, to Williams’ father, Mahlon, as well as his uncle and business adviser, Patrick McCain, were not immediately returned.
The University of Memphis issued the following statement Friday morning: ‘We are aware of the situation and are gathering more information.’
California is widely considered to have the toughest gun laws in the country.
In November 2022, Williams signed a national letter of intent to play college basketball for coach Penny Hardaway at Memphis. Williams, rated a five-star guard and the No. 26 overall recruit in the Class of 2023 by 247Sports Composite, recently completed his senior season at San Ysidro High School in San Diego.
A social media sensation with a following on Instagram of more than 3.8 million, Williams’ name, image and likeness is worth an estimated $3.3 million, according to On3.com.
Williams’ Instagram account was deactivated early Friday morning.
Williams is one of four high school seniors signed by Memphis last fall. Hardaway’s Tigers finished 26-9 this season, losing in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or on Twitter @munzly.