Top Recruit Commits To Sacramento State, Joins Shaquille O’Neal-Led Program

Just one day after Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal was named general manager of Sacramento State men’s basketball, former top recruit Mikey Williams is officially joining the Hornets.

As first reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania, Williams is transferring from UCF and will suit up for Sacramento State under new head coach — and former Kings guard — Mike Bibby, with O’Neal overseeing the program in a GM role.

Sacramento State officials confirmed Williams’ commitment to Hoops Wire. The 6-foot-2 guard appeared in 18 games for UCF during the 2024-25 season, averaging 5.1 points, 1.9 rebounds and 0.7 assists in limited action.

Once regarded as one of the most high-profile high school prospects in the country, Williams enrolled at Memphis in 2023 but never played for the Tigers due to legal issues stemming from a 2023 shooting incident in San Diego. He later reached a plea deal in November that allowed him to avoid jail time and resume his basketball career.

Williams now becomes the second high-profile addition to Sacramento State in the early days of the Bibby-O’Neal era. Back in March, Shaq’s son Shaqir O’Neal transferred in as the Hornets’ first major recruit under Bibby.

A program that finished in the bottom half of the Big Sky standings last season is suddenly drawing national headlines — thanks to big names, bigger personalities, and a belief that Sacramento State could become something more than just a mid-major stopover.

So yes, Shaq is calling the shots, Bibby’s pacing the sidelines, and Mikey Williams is taking one more swing at his once-skyrocketing hoops career — this time in Hornets green.

How much noise can this new-look squad make in year one? Stay tuned.