Texas Tech head coach Grant McCasland knew he would have to replace most of his starting unit from this season’s Elite Eight squad. But he was probably hoping for stability after such a strong run, bringing in six newcomers last season.
In this new era of college basketball, the first domino of what could be some of them fell last night with Darrion Williams announcing that he will enter the transfer portal and the NBA draft.
“Darrion Williams will declare for the NBA draft, while maintaining his NCAA eligibility, his agent Aman Dhesi told ESPN, “Jonathan Givony of ESPN tweeted. “Williams will also enter the transfer portal to maintain flexibility and assess the college landscape closer to the withdrawal deadline.”
What Next For Texas Tech After Star Junior Enters NBA Draft and Transfer Portal?
Williams has improved in each of his last two collegiate seasons. The 6-6 forward is coming off an outstanding NCAA tournament for Texas Tech, which was icing on the cake as he produced a career season. He compiled 20 points, six rebounds, and two steals in each of the Red Raiders’ last three NCAA tournament contests.
Williams averaged 15.1 points, 5,5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists for the season. Williams also compiled 1.3 steals and 1.4 threes while shooting .439/.340/.836. He scored in double-figures in 25 of 34 appearances, topping the 20-point mark on nine occasions, and produced one double-double. Before transferring to Texas Tech, he played at Nevada for one year.
Williams is currently the only Red Raider to enter the transfer portal. Chance McMillan, Elijah Hawkins, and Kerwin Walton have exhausted their eligibility. Guard Devan Cambridge left the program early in the season.
What Will Williams Do?
This announcement only gives Williams more options. Williams will likely go through the entire NBA process, which includes the NBA or G-League Elite Combine and individual workouts. However, he could withdraw if he doesn’t get an NBA draft combine invite.
Williams does have solid NBA potential. Williams is a two-way wing whose defensive versatility, size, and playmaking ability are his biggest assets. The 2-year-old Las Vegas native also has high motor and is an outstanding rebounder, though he is not an elite athlete.
Williams could use another year in college. He needs to show more consistency around the rim and from deep, and his ball-handling needs some work.
It is too early to determine Williams’s college options. He could ultimately end up back in Lubbock with the Red Raiders.
What Is Next For Texas Tech?
Texas Tech is coming off one of its best seasons in program history, going 28-9 for the second most wins in program history. The Red Raiders are 51-20 under McCasland, including 3-2 in two NCAA tournament appearances.
Texas Tech has advanced to back-to-back NCAA tournaments for the third time in the last eight seasons. Before this eight-year stretch, the Red Raiders had made consecutive appearances in the NCAA tournament since 2004 and 2005. Their Elite Eight run this year marked the third time they have advanced at least that far in the past eight seasons, with the most recent being in 2019.
While McCasland knows that he will have to replace five, including Williams, of the 14 players on the Red Raiders roster this past season, the 48-year-old coach is bracing for more departures. According to Nathan Giese of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, Christian Anderson, JT Toppin, and Federiko Federiko are the most likely players to depart.
Toppin, the Red Raiders’ best player, could test the NBA waiters again, and if he hears the feedback he wants, a departure is likely. Giese said that he expects teams to try to poach Anderson, who was a Big-12 Freshman team selection. Federiko has an extra year of eligibility but has yet to decide his future.
Even if everyone but Williams returns, McCaland will have seven scholarships available since the NCAA has upped the limit to 15 for next season. Marial Akuentok, part of the 2025 class, has already enrolled at Texas Tech and has been counted as a scholarship player.
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