The five-star 2023 combo guard and social media star who recently completed his sophomore season at Lake Norman Christian School in Huntersville . But he still wants to be a kid and he wants that college environment and I'm like this; I'm like you go to college, you do what you do and then you let the coaches dictate if or when that time comes that you are going to be highly sought-after pro. Williams is a 6'2", 175-pound combo guard. Founded by his father, Mahlon Williams, Vertical Academy is unaffiliated with any sanctioned high school state athletic association and is instead slated to play a 25-game national schedule in 19 states versus a range of prep schools and similar academies. pic.twitter.com/wcWQDnV8wR, Mikey Williams (@619PRESIDENTIAL) July 22, 2020. At the Pangos All-American Camp in Las Vegas, his father Mahlon Williams told 247Sports that college is actually Mikey's preferred route. In 2020, Williams announced an early top ten schools, that featured the likes of Kansas, San Diego State, USC, Memphis, Arizona State, North Carolina . 1 2021 recruit Chet Holmgren will pick a college. Mikey Williams is two years away from college, but is ready to cash is on his name, likeness and image rights. He is a good ball handler with wiggle off the dribble who finds and exploits cracks in the defense to get to the rim and finish or draw fouls. 247Sports' Eric Bossi says Mikey Williams plans to take the college basketball route over going pro straight out of high school. . . Five of the ten schools on his updated list are HBCUs. Williams could also go overseas like LaMelo Ball, who played for the Illawarra Hawks in Australia's National Basketball League before being drafted third overall by the Charlotte Hornets in 2020. You have this transfer portal, right? 2. Undoubtedly, there are going to be skeptics when it comes to Williams sincerity about playing college basketball. Facebook Instagram Twitter 2023 Prep Hoops. Mikey Williams talks young fame, feeling disrespected by the rankings, and where things stand with this college recruitment. Lot of criticism about his D, shot-selection and demeanor, but his talent stood out most to me. Other options for Williams after high school include playing with the G League Ignite team or within the PCL, playing overseas or directly entering the NBA Draft if the league drops its controversial one-and-done rule, in place since 2005, during its next collective bargaining agreement with the NBPA. Just hours before the start of the 2022-23 college basketball season, Penny Hardaway . All rights reserved. Photo: Brian Rothmuller Source: Getty Images Mikey Williams' offers. "I am excited to join the Puma family this early in my basketball journey," Williams said. Williams snagged Williams' Compton Magic teammate DJ Jackson earlier this week. 6-2, 185 | Class of 2023. basketball recruiting, high school basketball, Mikey Williams, stn, Boys Basketball, Recruiting, Clemson gets commitment from 4-star North Cobb RB David Eziomume, Watch: Tru Washington announces commitment to New Mexico, 65 schools have made offers to this 2025 running back recruit, https://usatodayhss.com/2021/mikey-williams-north-carolina-central-levelle-moton-basketball-recruiting, Mikey Williams predicted to land at North Carolina Central. The Mikey Williams Charter Membership NFT offers access to digital assets and the exclusive right to purchase future Mikey NFTs at a nominal price. It essentially clears the way for his college eligibility: something Williams wouldn't have if he joined, say, the Overtime Elite league, which offers high school recruits minimum salaries of . The deal was finalized in advance of Williams and Vertical Academy facing off against Overtime Elite in the GA Prep Series on Oct. 29. No. "He's one of the most relevant personalities in the basketball community. "Blessed to receive my first D1 offer from Tennessee State university," the 17-year-old announced to his 606,000-plus Instagram followers. June 05, 2020: Offer. These 10 scholarship offers include: Pittsburgh ; Norfolk State . Reach him by email atcfowler@gannett.comor on Twitter at@chapelfowler. The college said that its new all-grant program will benefit about . 2 overall in the class according to 247Sports. Morehouse College None Edit . However, others close to him behind the scenes have been telling 247Sports for a few months now that his interest in college is legitimate and the words of his family back that up. As the amateur basketball landscape continues to evolve in a new era of name, image and likeness deals, 17-year-old prep phenom Mikey Williams has landed a multiyear . He is a four-star recruit who has committed to play college basketball for the . Mikey Williams became the first American high school basketball player to sign a sneaker deal with a global footwear company. By taking advantage of this extensive network, more than 92 percent of NCSA verified athletes play at the . Basketball recruiting:Can an unofficial visit keep UNC basketball in the lead for five-star point guard Robert Dillingham? high-major Division 1 scholarship offers, but . Please check your email for a confirmation. The superstar guard doesn't graduate until 2023 but already has a few offers to weigh following the NCAA college . Hey, he may want to go to this school, but the transfer portal may say weve got two guards better than you., So, at the end of the day hes still going to college, and we are still trying to figure out what does that top five or top ten look like now that you have a Puma deal, now that you have the transfer portal and all of these things are going to impact his decision to choose a school, so we are reshaping it.. This September, he said he wanted to visit Jackson State because of the buzz Deion Sanders had generated as the head coach of the football team. Mikey Williams is a five-star 2023 combo guard recruit and social media phenom. Email address. Just hours before the start of the 2022-23 college basketball season, Penny Hardaway . He has over 3.6 million followers on Instagram, a multimillion-dollar shoe deal with Puma and is cashing in on Name, Image, and Likeness in a way that very few teenage athletes can. "We are all in on college.". Mikey Williams, 17, has landed a footwear and apparel deal with Puma, making him the first American high school basketball player to sign a sneaker deal with a global footwear company. 3 overall recruit in the class of 2023, According to the story by ESPNs T.J. Quinn, Why 5-star NC basketball recruit, national phenom Mikey Williams is re-opening recruitment, 5-star recruit Makur Maker commits to Howard: 'I need to make the HBCU movement real', which pledges a $100,000 minimum salary to each of its players. 1 player in North Carolinas class of 2023, included HBCUs Alabama State, North Carolina Central, Hampton, Tennessee State and Texas Southern among his initial top 10 schools last summer before re-opening his recruitment in full two months ago. Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. An hour after his announcement, his Instagram post about his commitment to Memphis had more than 240,000 likes. Williams is expected to announce his decision sometime in the next few weeks. 4 min read. High level athlete who is an explosive finisher. He has built a strong bond with NC Central head coach LeVelle Moton and for a trend-setter such as Williams, going off the beaten path away from the nations top programs would be fitting, Branham said. He formerly played for San Ysidro High School in San Diego, California, where he was born. He already has received scholarship offers from Arizona, Kansas and USC, among . Despite the public profile, Powell believes if Puma does . He has developed into a pretty good shooter from deep and gets tremendous lift when he pulls up off the dribble for his shot. Makur Maker, a five-star recruit in the senior class, was the first elite prospect to make a move to a HBCU, committing to Howard on July 9th. Mahlon . RELATED: No. Mikey Williams, an elite and popular recruit in the 2023 class, committed to Memphis on Saturday night. Outside of his undeniable basketball talent, Williams is also a social media sensation with 3.1 million Instagram followers to date. %link% NCSA College Recruiting (NCSA) is the nation's leading collegiate recruiting source for more than 500,000 student-athletes and 42,000 college coaches. Not so fast. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Purpose: College Connect Tempe is a community collaboration designed to increase access to post-secondary opportunities for Tempe's youth. "Thank you for believing in my talents." 1 2021 recruit Chet Holmgren will pick a college, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The elder Williams comments on his son the No. $29.99 until 8/31/2023 $99. 3 overall recruit in the class of 2023 and a rising junior at Lake Norman Christian School came in a wide-ranging story examining the effects of NIL legislation and alternative paths to the NBA on elite high school basketball players across the country. 2023 National Rankings Top 50. 1 prospect in the Class of 2023 Mikey Williams tweeted last week that attending a historically Black college or university will be in consideration when it comes to committing to a basketball program.. Among his list, Williams included five historically Black college or university programs: North Carolina Central, Alabama State, Texas Southern, Hampton and Tennessee State. Mikey Williams is re-opening his recruitment. Can an unofficial visit keep UNC basketball in the lead for five-star point guard Robert Dillingham? Who will win each 2023 conference tournament? Please check the opt-in box to acknowledge that you would like to subscribe. Williams listed Alabama State, Arizona State, Hampton, Kansas, Memphis, North Carolina Central, San Diego State, Tennessee State, Texas Southern and USC in his top 10 during the summer and hinted at committing at the end of his sophomore season. Mikey Williams, a 17-year old high school basketball star, has signed a multiyear endorsement deal with Puma, . I could walk into a gym, and nobody knows because thats how I want it. 2023 Standout OL Vysen Lang Ready to Announce College Decision. The league also recently signed a local recruit: three-star 2022 Word of God forward Jai Smith. Few high school basketball players are better suited for the highlight age than Mikey Williams. Five-star guard Mikey Williams wants to play college basketball. 99 You may not know them, but you cant miss them. Excited to follow his progress. Can really pass off a live dribble, big time shot-maker and game comes easy for him. [jwplayer KIUnpLSA-z6KDnl0B] No. The explosive 6-foot-2, 190-pound guard has appeared in 21 games for San Ysidro (Calif.), which is 14-10. The recruitment of top 2023 prospect Mikey Williams could be the catalyst for a renaissance of HBCU Basketball at the Division I level. Strong kid for age but not maxed out physically. You have this transfer portal, right? Other recruits and Black College programs are taking notice . His father explained why while acknowledging the paths he could take to the NBA: "If we don't take the college route then we've got still got the professional route. You have had coaches change, Covid and so many things have happened since then. Five-star NCAA Basketball class of 2023 prospect Mikey Williams has a ton of potential but there are some who aren't full-blown believes just yet. Mikey Williams looks on during the Pangos All-American Camp on 2nd June 2019, at Cerritos College in Norwalk, CA. In 2002, Mikey Williams was born in North Carolina and now attends Vertical Academy, which is an extension of Lake Norman Christian High School. 1 prospect in the Class of 2023 Mikey Williams on Wednesday narrowed down his list to 10 schools that he is considering for his collegiate recruitment. 2 Alabama erases 17-point deficit, wins SEC, All in the family: how three generations of Jaquezes have ruled West Coast basketball. A strong and compact combo guard, Williams is an offensive minded player who understands how to use his athleticism and burst off of the dribble. He had over two dozen scholarship offers from schools across the country, . By Matt Ray Nov 7, 2022. Williams has more than 5 million combined Instagram, TikTok and Twitter followers, and Puma looks at his unique and early signing as unlocking his hybrid appeal of being both an up-and-coming basketball star and social media influencer. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Williams is Hardaway's first top-100 commitment per ESPN's rankings. Take advantage of this special offer! With his 5.5 million social media followers, his . College Team Talent; Expert Picks; 2023 NFL Draft; Polls; . He has a couple of other schools that are high on his list as well. I think for Mikey the goal has always been the same and that is to take it to the highest level that he personally can take it to, his father told 247Sports. Mikey Williams (born June 26, 2004) is an American high school basketball player from San Diego, California, who attends San Ysidro High School.He previously played for Vertical Academy, an extension of Lake Norman Christian High School, in North Carolina after originally attending and transferring from San Ysidro. 2005-2023 CBS INTERACTIVE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Mikey Williams Freshman Season Highlights. My boy LeVelle [Moton], his whole culture resonates, its crazy, Williams told Branham in August. Williams has been spotted wearing the vivid red sneaker in recent games, along with additional Puma shoes such as the Court Rider and Fusion Nitro Spectra as he continues his junior season of high school basketball. . CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Four-star TE Jaden Reddell has SEC, Pac-12, etc visits coming, Prolific 2025 QB Stone Saunders making the rounds in March. From a Cougar to a Tiger. So far, the superstar has gotten ten scholarship offers from college programs around America. San Ysidro (San Diego, CA) CG; 6-2; 190; Class of 23 . The basketball player has already received 10 scholarship offers from some college programs. Williams family isnt just talking the talk, they are walking the walk. A more pressing question: will Williams join the Overtime Elite League, or OTE, at some point during high school? Marks: Mikey Williams. High level athlete who is an explosive finisher. Williams, a four-star guard ranked 30th in his class by ESPN, posted a picture of himself wearing a Memphis jersey with the caption "committed" on Instagram. He has 3.7 million followers on Instagram and 2.1 million on TikTok. Mikey Williams, an elite and popular recruit in the 2023 class, committed to Memphis on Saturday night. Not only is Williams one of the best prospects in 2023, but also one of the most popular high school players of all time. @adrianbherrera this was an amazing project I'm so blessed that I had amazing people in my corner!!! The 17-year-old high school junior ranks as the No. CBS Sports is a registered trademark of CBS Broadcasting Inc. Commissioner.com is a registered trademark of CBS Interactive Inc. site: media | arena: collegebasketball | pageType: multimedia | Hey, he may want to go to this school, but the transfer portal may say we've got two guards better than you. More on Williams:Why 5-star NC basketball recruit, national phenom Mikey Williams is re-opening recruitment, HBCU recruiting:5-star recruit Makur Maker commits to Howard: 'I need to make the HBCU movement real'. To announce the deal, Williams was featured in a mixtape-style video across social media dubbed "Not Yet Rated." Class of 2023 Elite Point Guard Mikey Williams Highlights. . But Mikey Williams said he wants to go to college in 2023, likely for a "one-and-done" year, and then head to the 2024 NBA Draft. Very few people would be able to pick out Williams' parents in a crowd and it isnt by coincidence. Level of fame at age is current biggest obstacle to overcome. Williams gave some clues two years ago about his college destination when he put out a top 10 of Alabama State, Arizona State, Hampton, Kansas, Memphis, North Carolina Central, San Diego State, Tennessee State, Texas Southern and USC. Chapel Fowler is a recruiting reporter for The Fayetteville Observer and the USA TODAY Network. Status Signed Memphis 11/05/2022. Jeff Siner. Williams ability to manage a public persona that has allowed him to earn real money while continuing to perform at the level he does would be impressive for a grizzled veteran, much less a teenager. Level of fame at age is current biggest obstacle to overcome. Jean Montero of Overtime Elite, a league that pays 16-to-18-year-olds six figures to play ball as a conduit to the pros, should hear his name called on draft night. 3 overall recruit in the class of 2023 and a rising junior at Lake Norman Christian School - came in a wide-ranging story examining the . 47,195 likes. The 26 th-ranked recruit in the nation is averaging 24.8 points, 9.0 . Check out Mikey Williams's high school sports stats, including game updates while playing basketball at San Ysidro High School. While 247Sports has yet to release 2023 rankings, the 6-foot-2 and 175-pound guard out of San Diego (Cal.) ESPN and 247Sports rate him as a five-star recruit for the Class of 2023. 12 overall in the class of 2023, will never play college basketball. It has been considered a given that five-star combo basketball . He is ranked as the 11th-best prospect in his high school class by ESPN and has 10 scholarship offers from college programs. In addition to those schools, Kansas, USC, Memphis and Arizona State made up the rest of his top 10 list. Mikey Williams, a 5-star guard ranked 15th in 247Sports' composite rankings of 2023 men's basketball recruits, will head to college before pursuing a professional career. By Eric Bossi Jun 9, 9:52 AM. No. "His talent on the court and his ability to connect with young athletes and fans alike will help drive hoops culture forward and inspire the next generation of athletes," Adam Petrick, global director of brand and marketing at Puma, said in a statement. Williams has a huge following on social media and plays to big crowds wherever he goes so there is a natural flair and charisma that comes along with his game. He could follow in the footsteps of five-star recruit Makur Maker to commit to an HBCU, who announced this month he would play at Hampton. with the caption "committed" on Instagram, Graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato. As Williams begins to be integrated into brand campaigns and product roll-outs, he will join a current Puma basketball roster of 25 athletes that includes WNBA headliners in Breanna Stewart and Skylar Diggins-Smith, along with NBA players such as LaMelo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Deandre Ayton.