CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein Projects NC State’s Darrion Williams to the 2025-26 ACC Preseason Player of the Year

CBS Sports’ Jon Rothstein shared a video yesterday unveiling his 2025–26 ACC Men’s Basketball Preseason All-ACC Team, along with his pick for Preseason Player of the Year.

Rothstein believes that NC State’s Darrion Williams should unequivocally be the 2025–26 ACC Preseason Player of the Year.

Here’s what he had to say:

“I think if you really split the atom—if you really look in deep—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.

Look at what Williams did in the NCAA Tournament—four NCAA Tournament games for the Red Raiders, who advanced all the way to the Elite Eight before losing to Florida in a devastating loss. What did Darrion Williams do in those four games? 21 points, 7 rebounds, and about 3 assists. That is what you’re looking at as an NC State fan.

This is somebody who wasn’t the focal point for Texas Tech because they had the Big 12 Player of the Year and an All-American in J.T. Toppin. Now, Darrion Williams comes to NC State and gets a bigger bite of the apple. Now, he gets to showcase his ability to be the focal point for Will Wade and the NC State Wolfpack.

Based on winning, based on production, and based on the situation he’s going to find himself in—Darrion Williams should unequivocally be the ACC Preseason Player of the Year. I don’t even think it’s much of a debate.”  

Here’s a look at his 2025-26 ACC Preseason All-ACC Team

Freshman Forward Cameron Boozer (Duke)

Junior Guard Markus Burton (Notre Dame)

Senior Guard Seth Trimble (UNC)

Senior Forward Darrion Williams (NC State)

Senior Guard Ryan Conwell (Louisville)

Darrion Williams = Preseason ACCPOY; Christian Anderson headed for Stardom; Alex Jensen conversation https://t.co/5JzQa0Rc83

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) June 23, 2025