Darrion Williams could elevate Big 12 basketball powerhouse to trendy Final Four pick, analysts say
Context:
Darrion Williams, a prominent figure in the transfer portal and currently involved in the NBA Draft Combine, is considered a top player potentially returning to college basketball. Analysts believe his return could significantly boost a team's chances of becoming national title contenders. Kansas, despite a lackluster offseason, is keenly interested in Williams due to his potential to enhance their roster, especially after losing several players to the portal. His skills as a scorer, passer, and three-point shooter make him a valuable asset, with Rob Dauster suggesting his addition would elevate Kansas to a top team in the Big 12. Williams previously played as a third option at Texas Tech and might assume a similar role at Kansas, aligning with their historical success with versatile big wings.
Dive Deeper:
Darrion Williams is navigating the NBA Draft Combine while being one of the most sought-after players in the transfer portal, ranked as the fifth-best available by ESPN's Jeff Borzello.
Williams's performance in the NCAA tournament was outstanding, with an average of 23.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 3.0 assists over his final three games, highlighting his potential impact if he chooses to return to college basketball.
Kansas is actively pursuing Williams to bolster their roster after a disappointing season and an underwhelming transfer portal haul, reflecting their intent to compete for a national title.
Rob Dauster emphasized the importance of Williams to Kansas due to his ability to play multiple roles on the court, offering skills in scoring, passing, and shooting from beyond the arc.
The potential addition of Williams could place Kansas in the same competitive tier as Houston and Texas Tech within the Big 12, according to analysts.
Williams was previously Texas Tech's third option offensively, and his potential role at Kansas aligns with their strategy of utilizing versatile big wings, a formula that has historically brought them success.
Kansas is preparing to integrate other key players such as Darryn Peterson, a top recruit, and returning player Flory Bidunga, which could complement Williams's playing style and enhance the team's overall performance.
Texas Tech's Darrion Williams is one of the biggest names still in the transfer portal. While it's been just around a month since the Sacramento native declared for the NBA Draft while entering the portal, he's now knee-deep in the pre-draft process, having committed to stay in the NBA Draft Combine.
ESPN's Jeff Borzello touts Williams as the fifth-best player in the transfer portal, and the third-best player still available behind just RJ Luis and PJ Haggerty.
"Williams is currently projected as a second-round pick in June's NBA draft, so he could still return to school," Borzello said. "The first-team All-Big 12 pick was incredible in the NCAA tournament, averaging 23.7 points, 6.7 rebounds and 3.0 assists in his final three games after averaging 15.1 points on the season."
Should Williams return to school, he could be the missing piece to elevate a program to national title contenders.
On The Field of 68, Rob Dauster and Mike LaTulip spoke on the offseason that Kansas has had after wrapping up a disappointing season, and how Williams could help turn around what has largely been viewed as an underwhelming portal haul.
"They definitely haven't done enough to this point to compete for a title, but I definitely don't think they're done," LaTulip said.
The Jayhawks have brought in a trio of coveted transfers in Jayden Dawson, Tre White, and Melvin Council Jr., but had six players from last year's roster enter the portal.
Earlier in the offseason, Jeff Goodman revealed that the Jayhawks were in talks with Williams and his representatives, but that the player is mainly focused on going pro this offseason. Ohio State and NC State were also revealed as teams interested in signing Williams, but Kansas may be the most attractive landing spot for him.
"If I'm Kansas, that's who I'm trying to get," Dauster said. "If I am Darrion Williams' agent, I'm going to Kansas and saying, 'four million and he's yours.'"
While the price tag is one that's been attached to players like Haggerty, Dauster says that it would be well worth it. He pointed to one Kansas wing who he believes disappointed this past season, one that Williams would be an upgrade over.
"I think that he's worth 3.5 million in this market to Kansas," Dauster said of Williams. "If you put him at the four, he's a guy that can score in the post. He's a guy that can pass. He's a guy that can make threes. He's everything that KJ Adams wasn't."
Dauster even went as far as to say that Williams could make the Jayhawks a top team in the Big 12, saying: "If he's there? If Darrion Williams ends up at Kansas, we're having a real conversation about Kansas in the Houston, Texas Tech tier."
Williams spent much of last season as Texas Tech's third option behind Chance McMillian and JT Toppin, and he could see a similar role should he join Kansas. The Jayhawks will be welcoming guard Darryn Peterson, the top-ranked recruit in the 2025 class, and returning Flory Bidunga, who Dauster says holds a similar profile to Toppin.
"I think he's the exact ilk of Kansas big wing that they've had over the years," LaTulip said. "He's not the athlete of like a Wayne Seldon, Svi [Mykhailiuk], or [Ochai] Agbaji or any of those guys, but Kansas has won with big wings that can step out, that can shoot it. That's been the formula, and I think this would be the year for them to get back to that."
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