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Memphis recruit Mikey Williams was arrested in San Diego on Saturday. He was charged with assault using a deadly weapon and his mugshot surfaced online. Fans on social media were ruthless as they compared Williams to controversial Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant.
According to ESPN, Williams is facing several counts of assault with a deadly weapon. He was released early Friday morning after paying a $50,000 bond. He will make his first court appearance on Thursday. He's facing a maximum sentence of up to four years in prison if convicted.
Williams' lawyer, Troy P. Owens, released the following statement on behalf of his client:
"This altercation was initiated by several uninvited individuals entering the home and causing a disturbance. During the aftermath of this disturbance, there were reports of shots being fired. Mr. Williams is alleged to match the description of the shooter.
"As a result, a search warrant was executed at the home, and Mr. Williams was arrested. He has posted bond and looks forward to addressing any allegations against him using the established procedures in our justice system."
Mikey Williams' mugshot surfaced a few hours after his arrest. Fans compared his situation to that of Ja Morant, who was suspended by the NBA for eight games due to misconduct.
Here are some of the reactions to Williams' mugshot on Twitter:
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Memphis releases statement on Mikey Williams' arrest
Mikey Williams was one of Penny Hardaway's prized recruits for the Memphis Tigers next season. Williams was a four-star recruit coming out of San Ysidro High School in San Diego and ranked 34th in ESPN's top 100 players of 2023.
The Tigers' athletics department released the following statement after Williams' arrest:
"We are aware of the situation and are gathering more information."
Williams was a popular high school basketball player and became a social media sensation.
His mixtape blew up on YouTube. He has four million followers on Instagram and over two million on TikTok. His popularity even led to Puma signing him to an exclusive endorsement deal.
Guns and basketball players have been a hot topic this year. Ja Morant was involved in several incidents, which culminated in an eight-game suspension by the NBA.
A New Mexico State player was involved in a self-defense shooting that led to the university canceling its season and firing coach Greg Heiar. Alabama's Brandon Miller was linked to a murder wherein one of the suspects was former teammate Darius Miles.
