Wade Defends Williams: 'Shut the Hell Up About Him!'

Will Wade, the first-year coach of NC State basketball, fiercely defended transfer Darrion Williams following the Wolfpack's victory over Wake Forest on Wednesday, December 31. Williams, a highly-rated transfer, has faced criticism for inconsistent play, shooting a mere 10-of-37 in his last three games and scoring 11 points or fewer in five of the last six. Wade vocally expressed his frustration with the criticism, stating, "Everybody needs to shut the hell up about him." He emphasized that Williams directly contributes to winning, citing a game where he was plus-13 without scoring, alongside six rebounds, four assists, and zero turnovers. Wade revealed that Williams is playing with a severe shoulder injury, severe enough to make most players sit out, particularly those receiving significant compensation. Despite his current shooting woes, Williams is hitting 41% of his three-pointers this season, an improvement from last year, and maintains a 45.9% field goal percentage overall. This passionate defense echoes Wade's previous strong post-game comments after the win against Texas Southern. The Wolfpack and Wade are hopeful that Williams will return to his previous elite form, reminiscent of his performance with Texas Tech where he averaged over 15 points and contributed significantly in steals and blocks during their Elite Eight run.