COLLEGE softball star Mia Williams is best known as the daughter of NBA icon Jason Williams.
But Mia is ready to make a name for herself as a member of the Florida Gators softball team.
6
6
Mia, named after US women’s soccer legend Mia Hamm, comes from a family of illustrious athletes.
Jason, nicknamed “White Chocolate,” won an NBA title with the Miami Heat in 2006 after starting his career with the Sacramento Kings.
His mother, Denika Kisty, was a two-time All-American on the Florida track and field team and qualified for the Olympics on Team USA as a javelin thrower.
Mia’s brother, Jaxon, plays basketball at Santiago Canyon College in California, while her younger sister, Nina, is a multi-sport athlete.
Read more about college sports
“In our house, we all think we are the best,” said Denika FloSoftbol.
“I remind Jason weekly that I’m the only All-American and he reminds me that he’s the only world champion and it goes on and on.”
But Mia is making waves in softball after becoming the youngest athlete to commit to a Division I program when she was in seventh grade at just 12 years old.
Mia played basketball and ran track growing up – but her true passion is softball.
“To this day, people will find out who my dad is and ask me, ‘Why don’t you play basketball?’” Mia said. Saturday in the South.
“I’m not him. I’m someone else. I can do whatever I want, you know?”
Mia has been successful with her hitting skills since she started in the sport.
In his sophomore year at Windermere Prep, Williams recorded a .558 batting average with eight home runs while also stealing 18 bases.
“She’s the female version of Alex Rodriguez,” Georgia Impact coach Lincoln Martin said.
And she inherited her father’s competitive spirit.
“(Jason) has the same work ethic as Mia. You have to remind them that there are other things in life,” Denika said.
“Watching her work reminds me of when I was dating him.
“I worked hard, don’t get me wrong. But it wasn’t my whole life. With them, that’s all they do.”
6
6
Mia’s first year in Florida had its ups and downs.
In March, she was named SEC Freshman of the Week after batting .714 with five hits, six runs scored, three stolen bases and two RBIs in a 4-0 week for the Gators.
“She’s struggling a little bit this year, her freshman year, offensively,” Jason told The US Sun.
“They have a very good team, I hope they get to the World Series and make some noise.
“But for her, she’s going to have a tough summer, getting a little better.”
Mia has also managed to cash in on her fame and fortune with a series of NIL deals, with Under Armour, Influxer sportswear and Pack Leashes.
The NIL revolution comes with a warning from his father, Jason.
“I think it’s a good thing for college athletes to promote themselves, and I hope they get all the money they can get,” he says.
“I just hope they understand that they have to pay taxes on this money, it’s not free money.”
6
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
