UCF lands commitment from 5-star Mikey Williams after big win

Five-star player Mikey Williams commits to UCF, following a criminal incident last year. He has a multi-million dollar NIL valuation.

Five-star swing player Mikey Williams, the No. 26 player in the nation for the Class of 2023 (247 Sports), has made the decision to commit to UCF, as reported by ESPN.

This announcement comes after Williams had signed with Memphis last year but was unable to play for the Tigers due to a criminal matter involving a shooting outside his San Diego County home. He entered the NCAA transfer portal on Monday and news circulated Friday that he had committed to play for the Knights.

The big news follows the Knights' surprising victory over No. 3 Kansas, 65-60, on Wednesday night at Addition Financial Arena. UCF (10-4) is set to host No. 18 BYU on Saturday at 4 p.m. (CBS Sports Network).

There is uncertainty surrounding Williams' eligibility and enrollment status at UCF. Coach Johnny Dawkins was unavailable for comment at the time the Sentinel attempted to reach out to him.

In a post on his Instagram account, Williams expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying, "All I needed was a chance," accompanied by several photos of him in a UCF uniform. With nearly four million followers on his @mikey account, Williams' decision to join UCF has garnered significant attention.

This marks the first time UCF has secured a 5-star player commitment, making Williams the most high-profile player to join the program since Michael Jordan's son Marcus Jordan (2009-2012) and Tacko Fall (2015-2019).

Williams, who averaged 24.8 points and 9.2 assists a game for San Ysidro (Calif.) last year, was ranked as the 34th player on ESPN's most recent Top 100 list.

Penny Hardaway, former Orlando Magic star and Memphis head coach, acknowledged Williams' decision to join UCF, expressing well wishes for his future endeavors.

The criminal incident Williams faced occurred in March of last year. Authorities in San Diego County stated that the 18-year-old faced multiple counts of assault with a firearm and was released after paying a $50,000 bond.

Following a plea deal in December, Williams pleaded guilty to a lesser charge, which resulted in the dismissal of other counts. He was ordered to complete a gun safety course, attend anger management sessions, and perform 80 hours of community service. Sentencing is set for August 12, 2024, in San Diego County Superior Court, with the possibility of the charge being reduced to a misdemeanor if Williams follows the terms of the deal and avoids any criminal offenses.

Williams is also recognized as one of the earliest stars of the NIL era, securing a multi-year deal with Puma for an undisclosed amount in 2021. His social media presence and influence have contributed to an estimated NIL valuation of $3.6 million.