Mikey Williams Transfers to Sacramento State in Search of a Fresh Start

Mikey Williams, once one of the biggest names in high school basketball, is heading to Sacramento State. The move comes after a quiet year at UCF and a chaotic few seasons full of starts and stops. For Williams, this is not just another transfer. It is a chance to hit reset. A chance to finally focus on basketball again. Then maybe, just maybe, a chance to remind people of the talent he still has.

A Journey Full of Detours

It has been a wild few years for Williams. Back in high school, he was a star. People packed gyms to see him play. Social media could not get enough of him. He had the handles, the bounce, the attitude. Everyone thought he was going to take college basketball by storm.

However, things did not go as planned. He committed to Memphis but never played there due to legal issues. A gun charge in 2023 completely derailed his path. For a while, it looked like he might never play college ball at all.

Eventually, he found his way to the University of Central Florida. It was not where people expected him to end up, but it gave him a shot to get back on the court. He played in 18 games during the 2024 to 2025 season and averaged 5.1 points a game. Nothing crazy. No big headlines. No highlight reel plays blowing up online. Just a young guy trying to shake off the noise and find his rhythm again. It was not pretty, but he showed up. And sometimes, showing up is everything.

Sacramento State Is Making Big Moves

Williams is not the only big name heading to Sacramento State. The school recently hired Mike Bibby as head coach. Mike Bibby, the NBA veteran and Sacramento Kings legend. And it does not stop there. Shaquille O’Neal, one of the most famous players in the history of the game, is stepping in as the program’s general manager, and Shaq’s son Shaqir will also be joining the team.

That is a lot of firepower for a program in the Big Sky Conference. Sacramento State has never been known as a college basketball powerhouse. But that could change, fast.

Bringing in Williams is another signal that they mean business. He is not just any player. Even with everything that has happened, he still has game. He still has a name. And he still has something to prove.

When asked why he chose Sacramento State, Williams kept it short: “Staff, culture, opportunity.” That says a lot without saying too much. He is not chasing fame anymore. He is chasing something real.

A Second Chance on His Own Terms

This move feels different. It does not feel like hype. It feels like hope. For Williams, this is not just about basketball. It is about getting his life back on track. It is about taking control of his story. He has been judged, doubted, and counted out. But he is still here.

Sacramento State is giving him a real shot. And he is giving them one too. If it clicks, this could be the start of something special for both sides. Not every player gets a second chance. Fewer still get to write their own comeback. But Williams has that chance now. And all eyes are going to be on what he does with it.