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Potential Darrion Williams replacement visiting Texas Tech this weekend

LeJuan Watts, one of the best players in the transfer portal, is reportedly set to visit Texas Tech this weekend.
ByMatthew Conner|
Jan 25, 2025; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars forward LeJuan Watts (4) rebounds the ball against the St. Mary's Gaels in the second half at Friel Court at Beasley Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images
Jan 25, 2025; Pullman, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars forward LeJuan Watts (4) rebounds the ball against the St. Mary's Gaels in the second half at Friel Court at Beasley Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images | James Snook-Imagn Images

There is a prevailing feeling among Texas Tech basketball fans that star forward Darrion Williams will not return for his senior season. While it may be until June before we know for certain, many of the tea leaves that are forming seem to suggest that the player and the program are moving in opposite directions.

One indication of that is the fact that this weekend, the Red Raiders are hosting a player who is essentially a Darrion Williams clone.

LeJuan Watts, a 6-foot-6, 233-pound small forward from Washington State is one of the most coveted players in the transfer portal at this time and according to multiple reports on social media, he is currently in Lubbock to see what Texas Tech has to offer.

Make no mistake, this is a player who would fill the role that Williams played for the Red Raiders over the past two seasons. That's because Watts, like Williams, is a stat sheet stuffer.

This past season, as a redshirt sophomore, the Fresno, California native did a little bit of everything for the Cougars. He averaged 13.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game.

Those numbers are comparable to what Williams averaged in 2024-25. While earning first-team All-Big 12 recognition, Williams posted 15.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.3 steals per game in helping the Red Raiders reach the Elite Eight.

Washington State didn't have quite that type of success this season going 19-15 overall. Still, what success the Cougars did have was in large part due to Watts' work.

He was third on his team in scoring, second in rebounds, and tied for first in assists. Additionally, his 3-point shooting percentage of 42.2% was second-best among the Washington State rotational players (though he attempted fewer than 1.0 shots from deep per outing).

Many are speculating that a deal between Watts and Texas Tech may be imminent. If that's true and we get word today that he has decided to become a Red Raider, it will be a major sign that the program has likely moved on from Darrion Williams, unless something unexpected happens in the upcoming weeks and months.

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