DeAndre Williams Initial Eligibility Waiver Denied by NCAA; Memphis Resubmits with Additional Information

DeAndre Williams’ quest for one more season with Memphis basketball is seemingly reaching its climax.

The All-AAC forward’s initial waiver for an additional year of eligibility was denied by the NCAA, sources confirm to Bluff City Media. Memphis, however, resubmitted Williams’ waiver application with additional documents provided by attorney Don Jackson last month. Some think the waiver will be approved, while others aren’t as optimistic.

The 26-year-old, who turns 27 this month, has been pursuing an additional year of eligibility since at least May 31, when Williams released a statement announcing his intentions to try for a waiver.

The application stems from the 2018-19 season, in which he was enrolled at Evansville but didn’t play due to being academically ineligible. The NCAA still counted that year of eligibility against him, however, citing a “delayed enrollment” violation. Williams and his legal team allege that he received bad advice from people in position of authority while in high school, which includes having him enroll in an online institution that wasn’t NCAA accredited, and that the violation would’ve never happened without that poor advisement. To clarify, the 6-foot-9, All-AAC forward used his COVID-19 waiver to play last season, and is now trying to get that first year of eligibility back to play this season.

Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway didn’t offer much comment on Williams’ situation during a media availability last Wednesday, saying that he hopes to have an official decision “soon.”

DeAndre Williams isn’t Memphis’ only player with questions regarding his status. Mikey Williams (no relation), a 4-star signee, also may not join the team.

The 6-foot-3 guard is still trying to resolve his six gun-related felony charges that stem from an incident at his (San Diego, Calif.) home back in March. Mikey Williams allegedly shot at a moving car filled with five people—including three minors—as it was driving away from the house. If convicted, he could possibly spend up to 28 years in state prison.

His preliminary court hearing for these charges has been postponed several times, most recently from Sept. 5 to Oct. 10. Memphis Athletics released a statement regarding Mikey Williams last Wednesday morning.

“While Mikey Williams is enrolled in online classes at the University of Memphis and remains on the roster, he will not have access to team-related facilities or activities until his pending legal process in California is complete,” the statement reads in part. “The process to assess and determine his status with the team will be initiated at that time.”

The Tigers officially began practice last week, and are largely in preseason mode. They’ll host Student Madness on Wednesday at Elma Roane Fieldhouse, travel to Dallas for AAC Media Day on Oct. 9, host Lane College for an exhibition on Oct. 29 and begin the regular season against Jackson State on Nov. 6.

For both DeAndre and Mikey Williams, the clock is ticking.