Darrion Williams Withdraws from NBA Draft, Commits to NC State

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Darrion Williams has officially withdrawn from the NBA draft and committed to NC State for next season. This decision follows a successful junior year at Texas Tech, where he earned First Team All-Big 12 honors.

Williams averaged 15.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game during the 2024-25 season. His performance helped the Red Raiders reach the Elite Eight and notably raised his draft stock.

The 6-foot-6, 225-pound forward spent time going through the NBA workout circuit before deciding to return to college basketball. Reports indicate that Williams was ranked as the third-best player remaining in the NCAA transfer portal by On3.com, trailing only Memphis’ PJ Haggerty and St. John’s RJ Luis.

Earlier in the week, Williams visited Kansas after withdrawing from the draft. However, he ultimately chose to play for NC State. According to multiple sources, he is viewed as a versatile forward and strong defender, though there are concerns about his shooting ability after he recorded a 34 percent success rate from three-point range.

Williams began his collegiate career at Nevada, where he was named the Mountain West Freshman of the Year. He transferred to Texas Tech the following season and continued to improve his game. His overall career stats show averages of 11.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.3 steals across 100 games.

With one year of eligibility remaining, Williams hopes to further develop his skills and make an impact at NC State in the upcoming 2025-26 season. His commitment adds considerable talent to the Wolfpack’s roster, raising expectations for next season.