Darrion Williams has withdrawn from the 2025 NBA draft, reports CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein (via Twitter).
The 22-year-old wing, who spent the past two seasons at Texas Tech following a freshman year at Nevada, is currently in the transfer portal for his senior season. NC State and Kansas believed to be among the leaders to land him, according to Jeff Goodman of The Field of 68 (via Twitter).
The versatile forward averaged 15.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game this past season and is a career 37.9% three-point shooter.
Williams was ranked the No. 46 prospect on ESPN’s big board, making him a decent candidate to be drafted. However, he struggled during combine scrimmages last week, scoring just two points in 45 combined minutes over the two days of gameplay, though he did average 7.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists.
Williams also measured in at 6’4.5″ barefoot with a 6’6″ wingspan, putting him on the smaller end for NBA wings. Facing a likelihood of being selected in the second round or going undrafted, Williams made an early decision, as the withdrawal date for early entrant prospects who want to retain NCAA eligibility is May 28. He’ll likely earn more on the NIL market this year while continuing to build his draft stock for next summer.
6’4 ughhh. Definitely not a wing. Maybe the casuals will like him at SF. Go learn to be a PG
It’s crazy how college athletes are similar to free agents now.
They can go wherever they want whenever they want. If that’s not accurate, pardon me but look at this guy‘s profile above. Here, there and everywhere.
It is crazy. College basketball stopped being amateur decades ago. Look at the amount of money that is spent on March Madness. The whole one-and-done philosophy probably hurts the NBA.
But, it is good that they pay the players. They are bringing in all this money to the school. It might help the NBA, in the long run. Marginal players can get more time developing their skills in college. When they come out, they are more NBA ready. How are teams supposed to realistically develop a player? Teams have to tank to give them the minutes they need. In all the other sports, players are expected to spend more time in college, or a developmental league. I guess it is more a part of their cultures. Think about it. Bill Russell wasn’t considered good enough to play his Freshman year at USF. But, he went on to win a National Championship.
Another weird thing about NIL. Shaquille O’Neal’s son is transferring to Sacramento State. Shaq is going to be their General Manager. Could Sac State become a hoops powerhouse.
@Gary – It’s Worse. College athletes, unlike professional athletes, can move among teams without any time of service requirement, without being bound by any contract obligations and without their suitors being limited by a salary cap or the like. The only thing they can’t do is play for two different teams in the same season (though they can switch schools in-season).
It’s ushering in the death of player development in college programs, which were the last bastion of it. Except the AAU version of “development” of course.
Player development doesn’t really exist in the NBA. Players are expected to be stars the moment they step on the floor.
It never has, by design, but the league may need to reconsider its approach at some point. With NIL/TP rules in effect, the NBA will no longer be able to rely on college programs to develop players for it. Since High School player development has been dormant since the 1990’s, and AAU is a joke, there aren’t many alternatives to prevent player skill level from taking another fall.
He’s 6’4″ with a 6’6″ wingspan as a SF/wing? He won’t last a year in the NBA. Dude should be a point guard.