NC State basketball transfer target Darrion Williams Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

Huge Update in NC State Basketball Pursuit of Darrion Williams

Originally posted on NC State Wolfpack on SI
By Matt Giles | Last updated May 20, 2025 7:14 PM ET

The mutual interest between the NC State basketball staff and coveted transfer Darrion Williams has been building for weeks. And now that the 6-foot-6, 225-pound forward out of Texas Tech has officially withdrawn his name from the list of early NBA Draft entrants, the Wolfpack might even be the frontrunner to serve as his final college landing spot.

On Friday, The Field of 68 reported that Will Wade's NC State basketball program and blueblood recruiting power Kansas are the two leaders in the Darrion Williams sweepstakes.

NEWS: Texas Tech transfer Darrion Williams has withdrawn from the NBA Draft and two of the leaders to land him are Kansas and NC State, source told @TheFieldOf68 pic.twitter.com/5DconpCs6n
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) May 20, 2025

Williams spent two seasons as a full-time starter at Texas Tech, averaging 15.1 points and 5.5 rebounds last go-round, after becoming a starter as a freshman at Nevada. He now has one year of eligibility remaining while currently ranking No. 6 overall and No. 2 among power forwards in the transfer portal, per 247Sports.

Meanwhile, the Wolfpack recruiters remain at or near the front of the field in the PJ Haggerty race.

Even without Williams and Haggerty, NC State enjoys a solid roster for Wade's first season at the helm in Raleigh. But if the Wolfpack manages to secure both — Haggerty, a star point guard at Memphis last season and at Tulsa in 2023-24, stacks up at No. 2 in the portal — Wade & Co.'s debut collection in Raleigh will probably be viewed as a legit title contender.

This article first appeared on NC State Wolfpack on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: