Mikey Williams, Memphis basketball signee who was considered one of nation’s prime recruits, arrested on felony gun costs

Memphis basketball signee and top-20 recruit Mikey Williams was arrested Thursday on felony weapon costs in his hometown of San Diego, the San Diego Sheriff’s division confirmed to CBS8 Information on Friday. Williams, probably the greatest guard prospects within the 2023 recruiting class and a social media star with tens of millions of followers throughout a number of platforms, was launched within the early morning hours Friday on $50,000 bail.

Williams was booked on 5 counts of assault with a lethal weapon utilizing a firearm, although the division’s lieutenant, Gavin Lanning, informed ESPN that he’ll possible face one cost: assaulting somebody with a firearm. ESPN reported that Williams, in accordance with the report launched by the sheriff’s division, was concerned in an incident by which a person fired photographs at a car occupied by 5 folks. This got here after a reported incident earlier within the week the place an argument came about and folks have been requested to depart the residence. From ESPN:

“5 folks received right into a automotive and as they have been driving away, photographs have been fired,” in accordance with the sheriff’s division incident report. “The automotive was hit, however nobody was damage.”

Williams was arrested after a search warrant was executed. A number of minors have been within the automotive. The sheriff’s workplace mentioned it won’t launch Williams’ reserving photograph as a result of by coverage it releases such images solely “when there may be a direct risk to public security.”

Memphis launched an announcement Friday on Williams’ arrest, saying solely that the college was “conscious of the scenario and are gathering extra info.” 

The Instagram account belonging to Williams, which had amassed tens of millions of followers by way of the years as he is gained reputation as one of the crucial adopted basketball prospects within the nation, was deactivated early Friday. His Twitter account remained energetic as of Friday afternoon. 

Neither Williams nor his illustration have commented on the costs, and the circumstances surrounding the incident at the moment stay unclear.

In 2020 Williams was rated because the No. 2 prospect within the 2023 class of 247Sports’ recruiting rankings for the category, and he has maintained blue-chip standing as a top-20 expertise ever since. Now ranked because the No. 17 general prospect within the class by 247Sports and the No. 4 participant at his place, he selected Memphis and signed with the college final fall over reported gives from Kansas, Arkansas and different professional choices.

Memphis has a top-10 recruiting class signed for the 2023 cycle headlined by Williams, who’s the highest-rated signee of the six-man class. It at present ranks No. 9 at 247Sports nationally and No. 1 amongst AAC packages.