Darrion Williams will be rejoining Texas Tech for the 2026-27 season, as announced by head coach Grant McCasland. Williams previously played for the Red Raiders before transferring to NC State for the last season.
During his time at Texas Tech, Williams had an All-Big 12 First Team junior year in 2024-25, where he averaged 15.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game. He received All-Big 12 First Team honors and contributed to the team reaching the Elite Eight in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
At NC State, he led the Wolfpack with an average of 14.0 points per game, along with 151 rebounds, 92 assists, and 35 steals.
The opportunity for Williams to return stems from a recent U.S. District Court ruling in Colorado. The judge determined that athletes from the high school class of 2022 who completed their fourth year of college eligibility this past spring can now compete for a fifth season.
This ruling has implications for college basketball, as it allows veteran players to rejoin teams, impacting rosters across the nation.
For Texas Tech, Williams’ return means a key player from the Big 12 will remain in the conference rather than moving to the ACC. The Red Raiders will begin their season in the fall, aiming to build on their previous success with Williams on the team.
