Darrion Williams has officially returned to Texas Tech for the 2026-27 season, as announced by head coach Grant McCasland. Williams previously played for NC State last season after leaving Texas Tech a year ago.
During his final season with the Red Raiders in 2024-25, Williams had an performance, scoring an average of 15.1 points, alongside 3.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game. He received All-Big 12 First Team recognition and was instrumental in leading Texas Tech to the Elite Eight in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
At NC State, he contributed significantly, finishing the season with an average of 14.0 points, 151 rebounds, 92 assists, and 35 steals.
The opportunity for Williams to return stems from a recent court ruling by a U.S. District Court judge in Colorado. The ruling states that athletes from the high school class of 2022 who have completed their fourth season of college eligibility are now eligible for an additional fifth season this academic year.
This decision has allowed Texas Tech to bring back Williams, along with another player, Stillwell, under the same ruling.
For Texas Tech fans, this means Williams is back in the conference instead of playing in the ACC. The ruling also represents a shift in how eligibility rules are determined, impacting college basketball rosters in a way that is dictated by legal decisions rather than traditional athletic timelines.
