Coach: Williams embraces ‘second opportunity’ at UCF

• Myron Medcalf, ESPN Staff WriterOct 23, 2024, 11:39 AM ET

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  • Covers college basketball
  • Signed up with ESPN.com in 2011
  • Graduate of Minnesota State University, Mankato

KANSAS CITY, Mo.– Mikey Williams, a former high school star who never ever played at Memphis after his April 2023 arrest, is making the most of his “2nd opportunity” at UCF, coach Johnny Dawkins stated at Big 12 media day Wednesday.Williams dealt with 9 felonies and a lengthy jail sentence after he was detained and charged for allegedly firing a gun at an automobile loaded with individuals who had actually arrived at his home. The charges were lowered, and he pleaded guilty in November to a single felony count of making criminal threats with provisions that would permit him to prevent jail time.He was sentenced to a year of summary probation in August and his felony charge was minimized to a misdemeanor, clearing the way for him to make his college debut with the Knights this season.Dawkins stated both he and school officials took care to properly assess Williams before his dedication to the program.”When we brought [Williams] in, naturally we fulfilled, we did our due diligence,”Dawkins stated.

“We wish to see if the boy is the right suitable for our program, like we would finish with any young player. And we do that for every single player that we confess to our university. And we do our due diligence, and we go through everything and we make a decision. And luckily, I have a university that trusts me in my evaluation process. “And I think they did a fantastic job at taking in info and deciding to enroll him. And he’s been excellent, I indicate, in every sense

of the word. I indicate, he’s been terrific on and off the court, every day. “At one point in his high school career, Williams was a first-class possibility who earned appreciation from a few of the NBA’s leading stars. LeBron James posted in 2022,”Tough Nephew!!!! Genuine Hard,”in action to a Williams highlight on Instagram. Williams, who has more than 3.4 million Instagram fans, also has a relationship with Drake.His legal problem affected his public profile simply as the basketball buzz connected to him also altered. He never dipped into Memphis as he browsed his legal case.But Dawkins said Williams deserves another opportunity.”He’s been a pleasure to coach, which’s what it has to do with, giving youths second chances,” Dawkins stated. “And this boy is a teen, and things take place, regrettably, in our lives.

And if we were in a world where nobody got second opportunities, I don’t know where any of us would be right now. Therefore I’m simply actually proud of our university for taking that type of stand.”