Darrion Williams is a 22-year-old senior small forward at NC State with an estimated NIL net worth of $1.7 million. Every dollar comes from college NIL deals, not a pro contract. His main income sources are the NC State collective (One Pack) and a Buffalo Wild Wings partnership. He withdrew from the 2025 NBA Draft to return for his senior season. ESPN’s current mock draft has him going 44th overall to the Boston Celtics, which means the 2026 draft is his biggest financial moment yet.
You’ve probably searched “Darrion Williams net worth” and landed on results for Deron Williams, the retired NBA point guard with an estimated $55–65 million. That’s a completely different person. Darrion Williams (born April 23, 2003) is a college basketball player. He doesn’t have an NBA contract. He doesn’t have a shoe deal. But he does have something most college athletes never see: an NIL valuation estimated at $1.7 million, built across three college stops at Nevada, Texas Tech, and now NC State.
That’s real money. And it’s all from Name, Image, and Likeness deals, not a professional salary. Here’s exactly where it came from, what it means, and what comes next.
What Is Darrion Williams’ Net Worth in 2025?
Darrion Williams’ estimated net worth is $1.7 million as of 2025. This figure comes entirely from NIL deals signed during his college career, primarily through the NC State collective and a Buffalo Wild Wings sponsorship. It represents market valuation, not verified liquid cash, and no personal tax filings or bank balances are public.
It’s worth repeating: this is not a pro contract. It’s NIL money. That’s a big distinction. For context, NC State coach Will Wade noted that Williams’ NIL package at NC State is better than what he likely would’ve earned as a second-round draft pick. That tells you everything about where college NIL money has gone in 2025.
Don’t confuse him with Deron Williams, the former NBA All-Star point guard who played for the Jazz, Nets, and Mavs. Different person entirely.
How Did Darrion Williams Build His NIL Value?
Darrion Williams built his $1.7 million NIL value across three schools. He started at Nevada (2022-23), then transferred to Texas Tech (2023-25), where he earned a deal with the Matador Club collective and a viral Buffalo Wild Wings partnership. His NC State signing in 2025 brought in his largest collective payout yet through the One Pack NIL group.
The Buffalo Wild Wings deal came directly from his March Madness heroics, when he hit the game-tying shot against Arkansas to send the game to overtime, then scored the game-winner, sending Texas Tech to the Elite Eight. Buffalo Wild Wings moved fast. Days later, he was a paid brand partner.
Williams admitted he could have gotten a more lucrative NIL deal at a different school, but chose NC State for something else entirely: coach Will Wade’s transparency and a clear development plan for his NBA future. That’s not a knock on the money. That’s a player playing the long game.
NIL Timeline at a Glance:
| Season | School | NIL Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | Nevada | Pre-NIL scale; minimal deals |
| 2023-24 | Texas Tech | Matador Club collective signed |
| 2024-25 | Texas Tech | Buffalo Wild Wings deal (March Madness) |
| 2025-26 | NC State | One Pack collective; est. $1.7M total valuation |
Darrion Williams’ Career Stats and Awards
Williams has been one of the most productive players at every stop. Here’s his season-by-season output:
| Season | School | PPG | RPG | APG | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–23 | Nevada | 7.7 | 7.3 | 2.7 | Mountain West Freshman of the Year |
| 2023–24 | Texas Tech | 11.4 | — | 2.5 | All-Big 12 Third Team, Newcomer Team |
| 2024–25 | Texas Tech | 15.1 | 5.5 | 3.6 | All-Big 12 First Team |
| NCAA Tournament | Texas Tech | 21.0 | — | — | Led team in tourney scoring |
| 2025–26 | NC State | 13.8* | 4.9* | 2.9* | Preseason ACC Player of the Year |
Coach Wade pointed out that Williams is shooting 41% from three-point range this season, up from 34% the year before, and holds a higher offensive rating than last season despite playing through a serious shoulder injury. The production is there.
Why Did Darrion Williams Turn Down the 2025 NBA Draft?
Darrion Williams withdrew from the 2025 NBA Draft because he was projected as a second-round pick, and his NC State NIL package offered comparable or better pay. A second-round pick gets no guaranteed contract. Williams chose NC State to boost his draft stock, improve his game under coach Will Wade, and potentially enter the 2026 draft as a first-round prospect.
At the 2025 combine, Williams measured 6-foot-4.5 barefoot, 236 pounds, with a 6-foot-6.5 wingspan and 8-foot-5 standing reach. Those numbers are fine for a wing but not elite. He needed a strong senior season to prove he belonged in the lottery conversation.
Wade himself walked Williams through the math: “He was most likely going to be a second-round draft pick, and his package here is better than probably he would’ve gotten as a second-round pick.” That’s a coach being unusually honest with his own recruit. It worked.
What Could Darrion Williams Earn in the 2026 NBA Draft?
If Darrion Williams gets drafted in the second round of the 2026 NBA Draft, he’s looking at a non-guaranteed contract or a two-way deal worth roughly $600K–$1.5M per year. A late first-round pick would mean a guaranteed rookie-scale contract of $2–3.5M in year one. Williams needs a strong second half of his senior season to push into the first round.
ESPN’s current big board ranks Williams 79th overall in the 2026 class, and their mock draft projects him at pick 44 (second round) to the Boston Celtics. At pick 44, there’s no guaranteed money. Two-way contracts sit around $600K annually.
Scouting reports describe him as a hard-nosed, versatile forward with a high basketball IQ who impacts both ends of the floor. The ceiling question: lack of burst and offensive limitations may cap his upside as a role/glue player in the NBA.
Draft Earnings Projection Table:
| Scenario | Pick Range | Est. Year 1 Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Two-way contract | Undrafted / late 2nd | ~$600K |
| Late 2nd round | 45–60 | ~$1.1M (non-guaranteed) |
| Early 2nd round | 31–44 | ~$1.5–1.8M |
| Late 1st round | 25–30 | ~$2.6–3.2M |
The best NBA players to watch in 2025 all had one thing in common: a strong final college season that locked in first-round money. That’s exactly what Williams is chasing.
Final Word
Darrion Williams went from a four-star recruit at Nevada to a $1.7 million NIL earner at NC State in just four years. His money is 100% NIL-driven. No pro salary yet. No shoe deal empire. Just three college collectives, one viral March Madness moment, and a smart decision to return to school rather than risk a non-guaranteed second-round pick slot.
Want more athlete money breakdowns? Browse celebrity and sports net worth profiles on MVP Net Worth.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Darrion Williams (born April 23, 2003) is a college basketball player at NC State.
Williams has NIL deals that include the Matador Club (Texas Tech’s collective) and a partnership with Buffalo Wild Wings, which he earned after his game-tying and game-winning shots against Arkansas in the 2025 NCAA Tournament.
ESPN’s 2026 mock draft projects Darrion Williams at pick 44 to the Boston Celtics, which would be a second-round selection.
2 thoughts on “Darrion Williams Net Worth 2025: NIL Millionaire Before the NBA”