Puma ends footwear, apparel relationship with Mikey Williams

Mikey Williams’ relationship with Puma has come to an official end.

The San Diego-Union Tribune confirmed the news with a spokesperson from the brand on Friday, stating its endorsement deal with the Memphis basketball commit and one-time social media star ended “earlier this year.”

This comes after a judge ordered Friday that the basketball star make no further social media posts about his impending trial on felony gun charges. A deputy district attorney also asked his bail be increased to $50,000 because of what was deemed a threatening social media post.

Back in 2021, Williams became the first American high school basketball player to ink a multi-year deal with the footwear company. At the time, the prep phenom had more than 5 million combined Instagram, TikTok and Twitter followers. Puma’s thought was working with the 2023 combo guard would get its foot in the door early working with an up-and-coming basketball and social media star.

In light of recent events, however, Puma has been forced to distance itself and ultimately cancel its partnership with Williams.

He was arrested on April 13 and has been charged with five counts of assault with a firearm and one count of shooting at an occupied vehicle. He’s pleaded not guilty to all the charges, which carry a maximum sentence of 28 years in prison.

The alleged incident took place on March 27 at Williams’ $1.2 million home in Jamul, California. Gunshots were fired at a Tesla Model 3 with six occupants, none of whom was injured.

Future with Memphis remains uncertain for Mikey Williams

A jury trial is provisionally set to begin Dec. 14. Still, a member of Williams’ team told the San Diego-Union Tribune the hope is he will play at Memphis this season. He’s already missed preseason and the Tigers’ season opener is Nov. 6.

Memphis previously issued a statement in September confirming Williams was taking online classes remotely but wouldn’t be allowed to join the basketball team until his legal issues were resolved.

Mikey Williams played his senior year of high school at San Ysidro High School in San Diego. He ranked as the No. 52 overall player and No. 13 shooting guard in the 2023 cycle according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.