Sacramento State isn’t known for being much of a college basketball powerhouse. Then again, with Shaquille O’Neal taking the reins of the program as their GM, that’s about to change.

The Hornets just added former Arizona State star F Brandon Gardner and Shaqir O’Neal, one of Shaq’s sons. Now, they will also land former UCF four-star recruit Mikey Williams.

Williams averaged just 5.1 points and 1.9 rebounds per game in 14.0 minutes a night in his freshman season. That’s why he’s so excited to get a fair shot at playing time under new coach Mike Bibby.

Mikey Williams raves about Mike Bibby

I think the main part is coach, Bibby, honestly, you feel me,” Williams said. “So that’s the head of the snake, that’s like, that’s your culture, right there. So I think everybody respects him. Then two, it’s just the opportunity. When you get to the bigger schools, like politics getting involved heavy. So I feel like he already kept it 100 ain’t no politics going on.”

American former basketball player Shaquille O’Neal reacts before a game against the Mississippi Rebels (Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)

The young star thinks that his new coach will give everybody a fair chance to prove their worth and get the minutes they deserve, unlike what happens in some major programs.

Sacramento State is looking to make a big splash with this flurry of former NBA stars, and while it certainly won’t be an easy job, they’re clearly taking steps in the right direction.

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