BYU Basketball reportedly still in the running for five-star stud

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Steven Corder | Last updated May 21, 2025 5:59 PM ET

Could BYU pull off one of the biggest transfer portal wins of the offseason?

The buzz is back in Provo, and this time, it’s surrounding one of the most electric names still on the board: Darrion Williams. The First-Team All-Big 12 forward officially withdrew from the NBA Draft and is now weighing his final year of college eligibility. BYU, Kansas, and NC State are in the running—but Cougar Nation has reasons to be optimistic.

Williams, who averaged 15.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists for Texas Tech last season, was a force during the NCAA Tournament. He led the Red Raiders to the Elite Eight, dropping 21 points per game during the run. That kind of production doesn’t just walk through the portal every day.

Enter BYU.

Kevin Young has completely flipped the program’s identity in the last year, infusing an NBA-style system that prioritizes spacing, unselfishness, and ball movement—an ideal setup for Williams, whose playmaking skills thrive in open, structured offenses. Sources close to the program suggest that BYU’s NIL resources remain strong, and the Cougars have already shown they can compete financially after landing top recruit A.J. Dybantsa.

There’s also a role ready-made for Williams. With roster departures thinning out BYU’s frontcourt, he could step into a starting position on Day 1—on a Power Four team poised for a deep March run.

While Kansas is making a late NIL push, BYU offers something the Jayhawks may not: the chance to be the guy. Williams could be a possible centerpiece of a team built to contend—and he’d do it under a coach who speaks the NBA’s language.

As Jake Hatch of Locked On Cougars reported, “there’s mutual interest,” and BYU isn’t backing down. With momentum building and the portal clock ticking, all eyes are on one question: Will Darrion Williams choose to lead the Cougars into a new era?

Cougar fans—stay ready. This could be a program-defining move.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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