I must explain why a sneaker industry analyst has taken such an interest in the Mikey Williams case. I was a high school basketball head coach in San Diego. I only care about three college programs: San Diego State (I am an alumni), Memphis (my hometown) and Miami (my son goes to the U). I was excited that a San Diego kid I was six degrees of separation from would allow for a full circle moment for my Daygo to Memphis life. From a business standpoint his NIL allowed me to discuss Puma’s marketing strategy as it relates to influencers and athletes. Unfortunately, it is looking as if I will not get to see Mikey in Memphis Blue.
Former San Ysidro basketball star Mikey Williams reaches plea deal, can avoid prison time – The San Diego Union-Tribune (sandiegouniontribune.com)
Here are the facts of Mikey’s case, he was not convicted of anything. He pled guilty to issuing a threat and brandishing a firearm. The incident happened shortly before midnight on March 27, when five people plus a driver came to Williams’ 3,500-square-foot home in a white Tesla. Williams did not know they were coming, and the report explains he “appeared upset they had come and asked them to leave several times.” When there was not a fast response, he then began issuing threats. Records show no one saw him shoot the gun which is why the felony charges amounting to 30 years were reduced to what will be changed to a misdemeanor by August of this year.
Most people call the kid a criminal because he pled guilty to a lesser charge. Technically this is correct, but Williams made a plea deal to get back to basketball as soon as possible. Here are my questions for anyone, when reading the reports, Mikey had no idea these people were coming. When they arrived it was late, understanding Mikey’s basketball routine he had training in the morning and simply wanted people away from his home. Did he go too far in brandishing a gun? Definitely. Was anyone hurt? No. Do you think it is right to convict someone for a threat, especially a person asking someone to leave their home?
If unwanted visitors, no matter the circumstances, were asked to leave and didn’t, especially if the homeowner is visibly agitated, who is really at fault?
It is not black or white and there was property damage, so something had to be done.
I am not making excuses for Mikey; I am laying out the reality of this case.
There is an uncomfortable truth in sports for stars: List of Athletes Who Were Murdered (ranker.com)
Professional athletes have been murdered on more occasions than anyone wants to discuss, but one story sits as a cautionary tale, Benji Wilson. I do not want to make this a dark discussion by bringing up one of the saddest stories in high school basketball, but 5 people arriving at the home of an athlete at midnight could have ended much differently.
I want to transition this discussion to the University of Memphis.
Penny Hardaway’s ability to recruit is next level, especially with the transfer portal. There is something interesting in Penny’s current strategy. Unlike other elite programs, the Tigers play in an NBA arena, sharing time with the Memphis Grizzlies. This leads to a relationship with the NBA team requiring the Tigers to meet certain requirements other elite programs do not have to face. Where am I going with this?
Memphis basketball attendance brings partial payment from Grizzlies (commercialappeal.com)
Because Memphis does not play on campus, the program has had problems filling the stands. Memphis does not have the best public transit and students must find a way to get to the FedEx Forum, pay for parking or utilize buses from the campus. During the winter break, it is difficult to fill the FedEx Forum. As a comparison Viejas Arena at San Diego State is around 12,000 seats. Cameron Indoor Stadium has 9000 seats. Those are on campus facilities. What does this have to do with Penny, Mikey, and the U of M?
A flashback to John Calipari’s teams at Memphis. His teams always had a strong Memphis contingent which inspired the blue-collar city of Memphis to support the program. Think about athletes like Antonio Anderson, Andre Allen, Pierre Niles, Tariq Black, and the city of Memphis was always represented. You could bring in a Derrick Rose and keep Memphians engaged. Today, the transfer portal is removing the hometown element, but Penny’s recruitment strategy is also creating a situation where the team can only get the city excited by winning. There is not anything wrong with this, but Penny is not exactly landing Memphis talent like Cal was and when he does, they transfer. He is relying on players who are not going to be four-year locally known talents like Willie Kemp. Penny’s teams are not one and dones, they are older players who the city is not familiar with on a personal level. Malcolm Dandridge is there, but Joe Cooper and Jayden Hardaway are not big enough names to inspire Memphians to fill the FedEx Forum.
Mikey could have been Penny’s “Derrick Rose.” Of course, his criminal complaint made it difficult to rally around the kid, but Mikey Williams was doing the work and his lawyer and family asked Memphis to let Mikey compete. They had been lobbying the school and I was able to secure evidence that Mikey attained a 3.5 or higher GPA enrolled in 12 or more credit hours for the Fall 2023 semester. This means Mikey was on the Dean’s List.
Look at the case and understand Mikey admitted guilt to criminal threat. Defense of Property: Legal Definition, Examples and Elements | LegalMatch Mikey’s team could have pursued a case based on defense of property, but this would have prolonged Mikey’s time away from the court. It also calls into question property damage and if the legal team failed to defend the kid this becomes a tragic tale of lost potential. Mikey had never been in trouble. Was an honor roll student athlete throughout high school and knew he would not violate any aspect of the plea. Mikey’s goal was to get back on the court and to get the benefit of being a student athlete learning from Penny Hardaway and one of the best staff in the country.
Mikey’s celebrity status made him a target. An unwelcome visit to his home cost this kid his opportunities and partnerships. Mikey lost his position as one of the young Faces of Puma and sitting out a full year with no access to his college program has meant he is not getting college training and instruction critical to his development as a potential pro. The U of M was not allowing him to practice with the team even after he was completing his requirements and maintained grades good enough for the Dean’s List. Maybe if the school simply gave him his scholarship back and let him practice which does not seem like much, Mikey and Memphis would be an M&M to build on for 2024. I honestly hope this can still happen…
