Memphis’ Williams reaches plea deal in gun case

• Myron Medcalf, ESPN Personnel WriterNov 30, 2023, 06:39 PM ET

  Close

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

Memphis said it does not have “anything new” about the playing status of freshman guard Mikey Williams, who Thursday in a California court pleaded guilty to a felony charge of making criminal threats.The plea to a lesser charge ends the assault case against Williams coming from a March 27 event at his home, where shots were fired at a car outside his home in San Diego, according to Randy Grossman, among his attorneys.Williams, who signed with Memphis after an excellent high school profession, was apprehended in April and has been far from the team while the legal procedure has played out. He faced nine felony counts in the event after a group of individuals claimed he had fired a weapon that hit their automobile as they were leaving his home. The occupants of the vehicle were unharmed.With Thursday’s plea, Williams can get the charge reduced to a misdemeanor if he doesn’t break any laws, takes a gun safety course and completes 80 hours of community service before his sentencing, currently arranged for August 2024.”I feel excellent, sibling,”Williams said Thursday outside the San Diego courtroom in a video posted by Overtime.

“All glory to God. I’m just happy that I made it out of this scenario. But I’m simply delighted to get back to the court. “Before the season, Memphis stated Williams would not be allowed to play or take part in team activities while his criminal case was unfolding. Grossman stated he had a video conference with head coach Penny Hardaway recently, however Hardaway did not offer any updates about Williams’status with the team.Grossman told ESPN that Williams “accepted obligation “Thursday.When asked what he implied by that, Grossman said Williams is sorry for making risks while holding a weapon. Authorities recuperated a firearm following a search of Williams ‘home after the incident.

Grossman stated Williams has not confessed to shooting the shots that struck the vehicle outside his home.”He’s accepted responsibility for his actions,”Grossman said. “He is sorry for the choice he made that night. This is an 18-year-old kid who legitimately felt threatened. He understands he’s made errors.

… He’s accepting duty for the evidence. There was no direct evidence that he had fired any shots.”Grossman stated he hopes Williams can resume his athletic profession following Thursday’s plea.”Our objective was to get Mikey back on the basketball court as soon as possible,”he said.