Exclusive: “Mikey Can Finally Move Forward”—Star Basketball Player Mikey Williams’ Manager Speaks Out on His New Beginning After Gun Case

Before March 29, 2023, one of the top high school basketball players in the 2023 class, Mikey Williams, was projected to have an impactful season under Penny Hardaway at Memphis during the 2023-2024 NCAA season. Beyond basketball, Williams is also one of the top social media influencers, gaining notoriety from his sensational dunks and organic marketability, which has helped him amass 3.4 million followers on Instagram.

Williams was the first high school player to sign with a NIL agency and the first to secure a multi-million dollar shoe contract with PUMA. He attracted countless brands and companies that recognized and admired the value and organic reach a player like Williams brought. But then, one day, everything abruptly changed.

In March 2023, Williams was allegedly involved in a non-injury shooting, accused of opening fire on a car leaving his residence late one night. That fall, he pleaded guilty to the charges in an effort to turn a new leaf and move forward with his life after what seemed like a potentially career-ending decision. Rumors, assumptions, and a lack of clarity swirled around Williams as he pleaded for his character not to be attacked.

Brands quickly began to disassociate themselves from Williams, distancing themselves from a situation that was not fully understood but could potentially harm their image. In life, every action has a reaction, and as one gets older, this lesson becomes clear. It’s easy to forget that Williams is just a teenage kid who, under immense pressure for years, may have lost everything.

On Monday, 17 months later, with Williams now committed to the University of Central Florida, he received the news he had been waiting for. After completing 80 hours of community service, anger management, a gun safety course, and demonstrating good behavior, he was able to reduce his charge to a misdemeanor. Along with probation, Williams is also prohibited from owning a firearm for the next ten years.

Williams is a high-character player entrenched in his community and did not have a problem volunteering. His team shared a statement expressing gratitude that this chapter is behind the basketball star and that they are ready for the future.

“Our team is glad that Mikey can finally move forward with his career. He’s excited about getting on the court with his new teammates. This has been a very traumatic experience for him, and I’ve watched him handle it all with dignity. He loves to fish, record music, and play basketball… That’s it! A pretty simple life considering what he’s been through. People never stop to think of the immense scrutiny these kids face because of their popularity,” Williams’ uncle and business manager Pat McCain tells Baller Alert.

“This is the new reality for athletes now, with huge NIL deals worth millions, so I guess it comes with the territory. It’s definitely a gift and a curse! With the help of his team, he has managed to build a multi-million dollar global brand that is not a byproduct of a famous family member. He did it on his own grit, and we should be applauding that! We’re talking about a 15- to 16-year-old kid who had the ability to become a social media icon for Millennials and Generation Z… That’s amazing! This whole ordeal has brought him closer to God, and hopefully, he can continue to fulfill his purpose in life. Salute!”

Williams’s acronym for the season, KTMTTMT, stands for “Keeping The Main Thing, The Main Thing,” a prevalent quote often used in life. His rise to prominence was due to his elite play on the court, and now, with this situation behind him, he has a new level of focus. He never stopped being in the gym; he’s hungry. The city of Orlando will be grateful to watch him evolve as both a player and a human being.