NC State lands Texas Tech transfer Darrion Williams in recruiting win for Will Wade
New North Carolina State head coach Will Wade has picked up a commitment from Texas Tech transfer Darrion Williams, according to multiple reports.
Williams, a 6-foot-6, 225-pound forward, spent the past two seasons with the Red Raiders after starting his college career with Nevada.
He was named to the All-Big 12 first team last season as a junior after averaging 15.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He entered the 2025 NBA Draft but withdrew after the NBA Combine.
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His junior season in Lubbock followed a sophomore campaign that saw him named to the All-Big 12 Newcomer Team.
It is a massive recruiting win for Wade to beat out Kansas and land Williams. The Wolfpack had a solid core on the perimeter but needed a frontcourt scorer. Williams was the highest-rated player left in our portal rankings and is one of the best mismatch forwards in college basketball.
He can score in a variety of ways, whether it's spotting up from 3, beating bigger guys off the dribble or picking on smaller players with dribble downs. He thrived in Texas Tech's system and is best when put in space and allowed to use his strength to get where he wants on the floor.
This is a disappointing week for Kansas, which lost out on both Williams and Dame Sarr. The hope was for the Jayhawks to land at least one of those two. Kansas coach Bill Self told me last week that he's looking to add one more scorer who can average 14-15 points per game. There aren't many of those guys left in the portal and KU might have to look overseas or adjust and maybe spend the money it had left for a scorer on more size up front.
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