At his NC State introductory press convention, Will Wade confidently said, “We’re going to win and do it rapidly.” He actually wasn’t kidding. Wade landed his largest switch portal addition but, nabbing former Texas Tech standout Darrion Williams.
Williams — who entered the NBA Draft after the season however withdrew his title Might 20 — was the No. 6 switch obtainable, in keeping with 247Sports’ switch rankings, and is the seventh participant heading to Raleigh by way of the switch portal.
Williams, listed at 6-foot-6 and 225 kilos, is a gifted, versatile scorer who has elevated his factors per sport from 7.6 as a freshman at Nevada to 11.6 with the Crimson Raiders in 2023-24 to fifteen.1 final season. Whereas his 3-point share dipped to 34% in 2024-25, he’s a profession 38% 3-point shooter. He additionally completed second on the Crimson Raiders in rebounds per sport (5.5) and assists per sport (3.6), a testomony to his well-rounded ability set.
Williams stepped up within the NCAA Match, main the Crimson Raiders to their third-ever Elite Eight. After 13 factors within the Spherical of 64 towards UNC Wilmington, Williams scored 28 factors towards Drake, posted 20 factors and 9 rebounds in a comeback win over Arkansas and had 23 factors in a loss to eventual champion Florida.
Adam Finkelstein, the 247Sports Director of Scouting, had this to say about Williams:
Williams has advanced from an undersized four-man in highschool to a flexible and environment friendly large wing of types who can hunt mismatches from totally different spots on the ground. At 6-foot-6 with a nonetheless thicker pure construct, he compensates for what he might lack in quickness or explosiveness with power, mind, and ability. He can post-up, put the ball on the ground in each instructions, pick-and-pop, and play out of all varieties of offensive actions. His means to learn the sport could be very superior.
Rebuilt roster
Although Williams is the highest-ranked switch Wade has added this offseason, he is simply one in every of a number of spectacular additions. NC State’s switch class additionally options former Houston wing Terrance Arceneaux and former Michigan State guard Tre Holloman. Wade additionally introduced Quadir Copeland and Alyn Breed over from his earlier cease, McNeese State.
The seven additions assist offset 10 former NC State gamers who’ve transferred or are at the moment within the switch portal. The Wolfpack even have three high-school recruits incoming, headlined by Matt Ready, the No. 28 participant within the Class of 2025.