Darrion Williams, the versatile forward who helped Texas Tech reach the 2025 NCAA Elite Eight, is set to return for a fifth year of eligibility in the 2026‑27 season.
After a standout junior season in which he posted 15.1 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game and earned All‑Big 12 First Team honors, Williams finished the year with a 23‑point performance in the Elite Eight against Florida and a 28‑point outing versus Drake.
His scoring repertoire includes a perfect 12‑for‑12 shooting night against No. 6 Kansas, where he also hit four three‑pointers, and a career‑high 32‑point game at UNC Greensboro that earned him All‑ACC Honorable Mention.
A New Chapter for the Red Raiders
Coach Grant McCasland, now in his third year leading the program, highlighted the addition of Williams alongside seven other transfers and two freshmen, noting that the blend of experience and youthful talent positions Texas Tech to contend again after three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
The Red Raiders, who finished the previous season with a 23‑11 record and a program‑best four wins over Top 10 opponents, have been ranked as high as No. 10 in the AP poll, underscoring the growing national profile of the program.
Williams, a Sacramento native who began his college career at Nevada before transferring to Texas Tech, brings a mix of scoring, rebounding and playmaking that should help the team maintain its upward trajectory as it prepares for the upcoming season.