With the arrival of new head coach Will Wade, the environment around NC State basketball is shifting drastically. The roster seems to be more confident than ever before. As the Wolfpack prepares for the season, the spotlight falls on the new arrival Darrion Williams from Texas Tech.
His arrival has brought several positive changes to the team’s setup and culture, which shows the team’s confidence in his influence. One college basketball insider even believes Williams has a strong case for being named ACC Preseason Player of the Year.
College Basketball Insider Sees Newcomer Darrion Williams as ACC Preseason Player of the Year
CBS college basketball insider Jon Rothstein has recently made a bold statement. He believes NC State forward Darrion Williams, a 6’6″ versatile wing, “unequivocally deserves the Preseason Player of the Year in the ACC.
There is no doubt that the ACC has many skilled players. However, Rothstein’s use of the word “unequivocally” shows how sure he is about Williams’s impact on the team’s success. For a player who has just transferred in, such praise holds significant value.
“I think, unequivocally, you look at the personnel, you look at the criteria for the personnel, and then you start looking at the production of the personnel, and Darrion Williams, who transferred from Texas Tech to NC State, should unequivocally be the ACC Preseason Player of the Year,” Rothstein stated.
He praised Williams’s all-around skill and composed leadership on the court. Rothstein sees Williams as a key influence on NC State’s play, leading to more positive results. “Now Darrion Williams comes to NC State and he gets the opportunity to showcase his ability to be a focal point for Will Wade and the NC State Wolfpack,” Rothstein added.
Williams is set to play a major role this season, as his track record is quite impressive. He showed his worth at Texas Tech last year by helping the team score and defend. He averaged 15.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals, and 3.6 assists, which earned him first-team All-Big 12 honors.
He also shone during the NCAA Tournament, where he averaged 23.7 points in the final three games, adding 6.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game. His March Madness performance helped Texas Tech reach the Elite Eight before falling to Florida.
Will Wade’s System Could Unlock Williams’s Full Potential
Now, under new head coach Will Wade, Williams is expected to shine even brighter.
Wade understands the game well and can bring the best out of players. He has a history of helping players grow into leadership roles and show their maximum potential. Wade called Williams a “nightmare matchup for opponents” who can “take advantage of whatever a defense might throw at him.”
The Will Wade era has begun in Raleigh 🔴🐺
He brings in one of the best portal additions in Darrion Williams… along with 6 more new faces 👀
How good has Wade done in the portal??
⬇️ Drop a grade ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/IU4xLDwklO— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) May 29, 2025
There is no doubt that the Wolfpack has depth and experience on their side from their incoming transfers. Williams is likely the missing piece that could take them even further. Wade will probably rely on Williams as the team’s anchor. If Williams fulfills expectations, North Carolina State could surprise fans and perform much better than expected.
The ACC will soon announce the winner of its Preseason Player of the Year award. This award is given to the player who is most likely to be the top performer in the upcoming season. Many eyes are on Williams, as he has the potential to control the flow of the game.
If he wins this award, he will have the opportunity to move up on draft boards. For now, NC State fans can only wait and hope for the best as the Wade era begins in Raleigh.
