Report: Darrion Williams withdraws from NBA draft, remains in portal

Field Level Media|published: Tue 20th May, 12:27 2025

NCAA Basketball: NCAA Tournament West Regional-Texas Tech at Florida

Mar 29, 2025; San Francisco, CA, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders forward Darrion Williams (5) reacts during the second half against the Florida Gators during the West Regional final of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

The college basketball transfer portal retained one of its marquee names with Darrion Williams reportedly withdrawing from the NBA draft.

After earning First Team All-Big 12 honors as a junior at Texas Tech, Williams was one of several players who tested the NBA draft waters while remaining in the NCAA transfer portal. He went through the NBA workout circuit while evaluating his options before officially removing his name from the draft on Tuesday, according to a report by CBS Sports.

Williams averaged 15.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.3 steals per game last season, helping the Red Raiders reach the Elite Eight and elevating his NBA draft stock.

In 100 career games that includes his freshman year at Nevada, Williams has averaged 11.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.3 steals.

The 6-foot-6, 225-pounder is rated as the third-best player remaining in the portal by On3.com's Industry Rankings, behind only Memphis' PJ Haggerty and St. John's RJ Luis.

Williams could return to Texas Tech for his senior year, but is expected to receive strong interest as the No. 1-ranked small forward available. Kansas and North Carolina State reportedly are among the leading programs to land Williams should the Sacramento native decide to transfer.

Williams is viewed as a versatile forward and strong defender, but needs to work out his jump shot after shooting only 34 percent from 3-point territory in 2024-25, marking the lowest percentage of his career.

--Field Level Media