Former NBA star Jason Williams won’t be in the stands for Texas Tech’s Women’s College World Series championship matchup against Texas after saying the spotlight in Oklahoma City felt misdirected. Williams, who has been a viral fixture for his daughter Mia’s r
OKLAHOMA CITY — Jason Williams walked into the kind of spotlight college softball is still learning how to handle: not just watching his daughter, Mia Williams, play for Texas Tech, but drawing enough viral attention that he felt like it was pulling focus.
By Wednesday, that meant one clear decision. The flashy former NBA point guard was gone from Oklahoma City and wouldn’t be in the stands when Texas Tech faced rival Texas in the Women’s College World Series championship on Wednesday night.
He later explained the move on a podcast hosted by former NFL tight end Greg Olsen, saying he was headed back to Orlando right then and that the attention had felt too intense.
“I’m actually headed back to Orlando right now. I’m not in Oklahoma City no more, bro. I feel like I was feeling too much heat out there to be honest with you, bro,” Williams said. “It was all about me. Greg. and I decided — as a dad — to come on back home and let them girls shine. bro. I’ve had my shine, mine’s over. It’s time for them girls to shine. So, I’m just going to step back and watch it on TV this weekend, bro. Just like you guys.”.
Williams said he believed the spotlight in Oklahoma City should have been on his daughter and her Texas Tech team, not on him.
While he left on Wednesday, he did not shut the door on being back for another swing of the series. He said he didn’t rule out returning for Game 2 on Thursday, and a potential winner-take-all Game 3 on Friday.
He also added that no one told him to leave Devon Park, and that the choice to go home was his own.
“That’s just my Barstool gig. That’s all I was doing for, was Barstool. We were getting some good content with me and Tate, and we got great content,” Williams said. “But as far as the softball goes. no one really said that I needed to go home because of the shine and stuff like that — I’ve chose to do that on my own. And who knows, I may be in Oklahoma City tomorrow, Greg. You never know with me, bro. Depends on which way the wind’s blowing. So, we’ll see.”.
Williams’ departure comes after weeks of viral moments that followed him through Texas Tech’s postseason run. He had been a magnet for headlines and ESPN cameras as he cheered for Mia. the second baseman for Texas Tech. His appearance at the team’s Super Regional win at his alma mater Florida included him being briefly ejected. and he also jumped for joy when Mia hit a walk-off home run against Alabama.
Much of it was captured by Tate Moore, known as Ohio Tate, for Barstool Sports. Ohio Tate’s video of Williams celebrating Mia’s homer against Alabama on Monday had more than 1.6 million views on X as of Wednesday afternoon.
That viral presence didn’t extend into the championship night. Williams initially announced he was leaving the WCWS in a since-deleted Barstool video posted on Ohio Tate’s X account.
“I ain’t going to be at the games this weekend. It’s just been too much. too much (expletive) going on like. people thinking I’m trying to make this (expletive) about me. bro. It ain’t about me, man, it’s about these girls. Let them do their thing. They’re the ones out there playing the game,” Williams said while sitting on a hotel balcony. “I didn’t come here trying to make it about me, bro. That’s how I cheer. that’s how I’ve always cheered and that’s how I’ve continued to cheer when I’m at games. But I’m going to be at home watching. cheering them on just as loud as I was at the games. That’s what needs to be done.”.
After that, Ohio Tate posted in a later tweet: “Nothing crazy happened but the documenting of the trip is simply over.”
Williams is no stranger to major stages. He played 12 seasons in the NBA with the Sacramento Kings. Memphis Grizzlies. Miami Heat and Orlando Magic. and he won an NBA championship with the Miami Heat in 2006. He earned the nickname “White Chocolate” for his swaggering. street-ball style of play—his swift handle and nifty passes producing highlights over the course of his career.
In this postseason, though, the numbers have belonged to Mia Williams. She has emerged as Texas Tech’s best offensive player. leading the team this postseason with 26 home runs. 24 doubles. 92 runs. 193 total bases. and 85 RBIs. She’s also the first player in program history to have at least 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a single season. She’s hit safely in 20 of her last 23 games.
For now, the series will be watched without Williams’ courtside presence—at least for Wednesday night’s title game against Texas. Whether he returns for Game 2 on Thursday, or if Oklahoma City waits until a possible Game 3 on Friday, will be decided closer to the next pitch.
Jason Williams Mia Williams Texas Tech softball Women’s College World Series Greg Olsen podcast Ohio Tate Barstool Sports Oklahoma City Texas vs Texas Tech college softball championship