What Penny Hardaway said about Mikey Williams' future with Memphis Tigers basketball
Mikey Williams' status with the University of Memphis and its men's basketball program remains unchanged.
On Saturday, two days after the Tigers' four-star signee agreed to a plea deal that could help him avoid jail time in his home state of California, coach Penny Hardaway did not go into great detail about Williams' potential future with the program.
Memphis athletic director Laird Veatch declined to comment on the matter before Saturday's loss at Ole Miss. But a university official told The Commercial Appeal school leaders will soon begin the process of sorting through the full scope of the latest circumstances. A firm timetable for that process has not been determined but it is expected to begin next week, the university official said.
The school's plan, for now, is to maintain the same position it has since September, the university official explained. On Sept. 27, the university issued a statement indicating Williams is enrolled in online classes and remains on the roster, while adding he will not be permitted to have access to “team-related facilities or activities until his pending legal process in California is complete.”
“The process to assess and determine his status with the team will be initiated at that time,” the statement reads.
Hardaway's first public comments on the subject echoes that.
“I’m not sure on that," said Hardaway when asked whether Williams might play for Memphis this season. "You know, obviously, you know, Mikey’s a part of our team. I just have to get back with the AD. His status hasn’t changed, as of yet, with the school. I have to get with the AD and, you know, talk about it.”
Williams, 19, was arrested in April after a shooting that took place outside his California home on March 27. The social media sensation – who became a millionaire while still in high school thanks to his massive popularity – was facing nine felonies, including assault with a deadly weapon, firing into an occupied vehicle and making criminal threats.
He initially pleaded not guilty to all charges.
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On Thursday, however, Williams agreed to a plea deal that significantly altered the trajectory of the case. He pleaded guilty to a single felony count of making criminal threats. In return, the other eight counts on the complaint were dismissed.
As part of the agreement, Williams must complete anger management and gun-safety courses, 80 hours of community service, and avoid any further run-ins with the law prior to his sentencing date, which has been set for Aug. 12, 2024. If Williams meets that set of conditions, the felony count will be reduced to a misdemeanor.
Randy Grossman, a member of Williams' legal team, told The Commercial Appeal Friday that his client has already completed the requisite gun-safety course. He also said Williams has already begun anger management counseling.
Reach sports writer Jason Munz at jason.munz@commercialappeal.com or follow him @munzly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis basketball: Penny Hardaway addresses Mikey Williams' future
