Over a month after selecting him with the fourth overall pick in the PBA Season 46 Rookie Draft, Mikey Williams and the TNT Tropang Giga have finally come to terms Monday on a two-year deal, team manager Gabby Cui told ESPN5.com.
The deal, financial terms of which were not disclosed, ends a weeks-long stalemate for the two sides.
The 6-foot-2 playmaker is expected to be a big boost to the offense of coach Chot Reyes, with Best Player of the Conference candidate Bobby Ray Parks Jr. still not on board.
Williams was seen as one of the best, if not the best, guards from the previous draft class, with eye-popping numbers with the Gen San Warriors in the MPBL as well as vast international experience.
In the 2014-15 NBA G League, he put up averages of 4.7 points, 2.3 assists, and 1.4 rebounds for the Sioux Falls Skyforce. After his stint in the U.S., he then played as a heritage import for the Saigon Heat in the ASEAN Basketball League where he normed 17.7 markers, 5.5 dimes, 4.9 boards, and 1.0 steals.
The Fil-Am guard also represented the Philippines through Mighty Sports in the 2019 William Jones Cup and 2020 Dubai International Basketball Championship.
In a previous interview, Mighty Sports coach Charles Tiu was adamant Williams will immediately make his presence felt for any team as a starting point guard.
"He works hard, doesn't complain, and I like that he plays defense and takes care of his body well, too," relayed Tiu to ESPN5's Richard Dy.
"He's a legit scoring point guard and a great shooter plus a solid defender. This guy was a legit player in the NBA G League and had great numbers even in the US NCAA. He will be a star," he added.
For his part, returning TNT mentor Reyes said it will be "business as usual" for the team after signing the shifty guard.
"I have no reaction except business as usual. There was never any issue about the [Williams] signing," stated Reyes in a text message.