The prestigious Pangos All-American Camp, an invite-only event featuring the top high school prospects in the nation, once again helped kick off the summer when it comes to efficient evaluation opportunities with a concentration of elite talent all under one roof. Pro Insight was on hand to evaluate the event in Vegas and caught up with Mikey Williams of San Ysidro High School (CA) and recent headliner on LaMelo Ball’s newly formed independent, Puma-sponsored AAU program, 1 of 1 Elite. Williams showcased his playmaking ability, quick hands defensively, big time athleticism, pace, and pull-up game throughout the event and was ultimately selected to participate in the Top-30 Cream of the Crop Game.
As part of the Pro Insight Q&A series, Williams talked about his athletic background, his desire to play collegiately, how he uses his enormous platform for good, his off-court interests, and more.
For the next installment of the Pro Insight Q&A series, we present 2023 prospect Mikey Williams, from San Diego, California:
Pro Insight: Talk a bit about your background.
Mikey Williams: I’m from Southeast San Diego, California. I’ve got a little brother and sister. From America’s finest city.
PI: Any other athletes in the family?
MW: Yeah, pops was an athlete, he played basketball and football. My mom played softball and basketball. My little sister plays softball and my little brother plays basketball.
PI: Did either of your parents play collegiately?
MW: My mom went to Hampton University and my dad played JUCO.
PI: You’re an explosive athlete — where do you get that from?
MW: Definitely them [parents], but you’ve got to put in the work, too. Some of it comes from genetics, but it’s also from a lot of work, too.
PI: What are you hoping to show the NBA scouts here in attendance?
MW: That I’m not an internet guy. I’m a hooper.
PI: Is that a label you’ve been trying to shed?
MW: Nah, I mean, people like framing me as a social media or internet guy just because I have influence and a platform. Honestly, I don’t even like social media. I’d stay off it forever if I could, it’d be so much more peaceful. But me having a voice, having a platform, I’ve got to put the right things out there, you know what I’m saying?
PI: How do you deal with any external pressures that come from having such a large platform?
MW: I just keep God first, honestly. Everybody asks me that and there’s really no answer, but to just keep God first and stay prayed up, really. Just count your blessings. All of this is a blessing, like I know there’s always going to be pressure, but at the end of the day this is what you love to do. You wake up and you love to do this, so don’t let it kill you.
PI: For those who haven’t seen you play, describe your game — what are your strengths?
MW: I can score the ball and pass the ball very well — I have an all-around game. I’m still trying to get everything better, you can never be good enough I feel like. I personally feel like there’s another level I can get to and I’m going to get there. I definitely got an all-around game, I think people sleep on my passing.
PI: You were unselfish in the games today — where does that vision come from?
MW: When I was younger I played QB, so me having to read the defense and make plays within a few seconds comes natural for me.
PI: Do you enjoy sharing the ball?
MW: I love it. I love making plays. A lot of people can score the ball, but not everybody can make certain passes and plays. So I love doing that.
PI: What are some underrated aspects of your game?
MW: That’s a good question. I think a lot of people look at me as a scorer, so when I don’t go out and drop 40 points they’ll be like “oh he’s not good,” but I’ll have like 8 assists and 8 rebounds on top of that. Some nights I might have to pass the ball for us to win. I’m not trying to go out and get 40 points just because I'm going to do what I got to do to win. But I’d say passing [as an underrated skill] because ever since I was young people know I could get buckets and I can still get buckets, but I have more game and I don’t want to limit myself.
PI: What’s the latest with your recruitment?
MW: Kansas, Arizona State, San Diego State, G-League…there’s a few.
PI: Would you consider an alternative pro option in lieu of college?
MW: I’m planning on going to college. It’s funny, nobody thinks I’m going to college, but that’s my plan.
PI: Is that something you’ve always wanted to do?
MW: I did, especially since I was younger. But when I was younger I didn’t want to go to college for basketball, I wanted to go for football. I want to have that experience and vibe of the home crowd and fan base.
PI: Any schools you haven’t heard from that you’d like to hear from?
MW: Nah, not really. I’m always going to go with the best fit, but I’m not too much to deal with so I feel like I can fit in with any environment. So I’m not really asking for no offers or whatever, if you offer me I appreciate it…I appreciate it for real and I’m going to keep it solid between us.
PI: What are you looking for in a school of choice?
MW: I just want to get better and win. I want them to help me get to where I want to go, which is the league.
PI: Outside of basketball — any unique hobbies or interests?
MW: I’ve been off it lately, but I used to go fishing a lot. I mostly just go off the land and kick it with my homeboys. I also like giving back to the community and being able to help people. Even when I didn’t have [this large of a platform], when I was little I used to go feed the homeless. Now that I have [resources] it feels good to give back and help people.
PI: What are some things you’re doing now to use your platform to benefit others?
MW: I definitely spread God on my platforms on social media. Try to spread positivity really and stay out of the political side. That’s a whole other side, but I try to just spread positivity, really.
PI: If you had one hashtag to describe yourself — what would that hashtag be? Why?
MW: #Confidential. I feel like once something gets out of that main circle…people will twist words and do this and that, but I feel like you got to be really smart with who you’re around and who you say certain things to. I feel like I move super low key and I try to stay out of the way, stuff like that. So I’d say #confidential.
PI: Five years from now, where do you see yourself?
MW: Three years in the league hopefully and about to get my second check. Hopefully an all-star by then [as well].