NC State coach Will Wade erupts at media over Darrion Williams questions
The Wolfpack star forward hasn't been scoring as much recently and his coach is fed up with answering questions about it.
North Carolina State forward Darrion Williams isn’t scoring like he normally does. The media is asking questions about it. And first-year Wolfpack head coach Will Wade is getting fed up.
Williams scored eight points on 3-of-12 shooting in NC State’s 70-57 win over Wake Forest on New Year’s Eve, 10 days after he scored 1 point on 0-of-8 shooting. He has scored in single digits in four of his past five games, after scoring in double digits in his first eight games of the season.
In Wednesday’s press conference, a reporter asked Wade what his “concern level” was after another subpar scoring output from Williams.
“Absolutely zero. You know, I’m tired of hearing about fricking Darrion,” Wade exploded. “He’s f—ing playing well, alright? It’s a terrible question. It’s a terrible question. Let me be frank with you. He affects winning, and everybody’s out here, b—-ing about him and all this stuff, he affects winning. He was plus-13 against Ole Miss and didn’t hit a shot, and everyone’s acting like the world’s caving in. The guy’s a damn good player.”
Williams averaged 17.8 points per game in his first eight games and 8.6 in his past five games. However, the Wolfpack are 4-1 during that stretch, the lone loss coming in overtime to Kansas. Despite the lack of points, Williams’ numbers for rebounds, assists and blocks are higher over the past five games than his first eight games.
“He didn’t shoot it well today. Who had zero turnovers for us today? Darrion Williams,” Wade said Wednesday. “Six rebounds, four assists, zero turnovers. So everybody needs to shut the hell up about him. He’s a damn good player, and the shots gonna fall. I’m tired of answering questions about him. He’s really good. We’re thankful to have him. Next question.”
"He's F***** playing well….He affects winning and everyone's out here B**** about him and all this stuff."
Will Wade goes off after @giglio_OG asked about his level of concern about Darrion Williams after a 70-57 win over Wake. #ncstate pic.twitter.com/0aV8OwloE2
— Pat Welter WRAL (@PatrickWelter) December 31, 2025
Wade hasn’t been shy this season about letting loose with his feelings. After that OT loss to Kansas, the coach declared that “kindergarten’s over” for his team and “we’re running a competitive, Division I college basketball program” and not a “daycare.”
North Carolina State is 10-4 on the season.