The Wildcats bolster their backcourt depth with a dynamic graduate transfer. The former JUCO standout brings playmaking experience and veteran leadership to Chris Collins’ evolving 2026-27 roster.
After about two weeks of silence, Northwestern took action to update its roster ahead of the 2026-27 season.
Former Pennsylvania guard Dylan Williams committed to Northwestern men's basketball, first reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer's Conor Smith and later confirmed by Williams via his social media. The 5-foot-11 guard from Columbia, South Carolina, will bring one year of eligibility as a graduate transfer after spending two years in the JUCO system and two seasons with the Quakers.
Williams played only seven games last season due to a season-ending injury, averaging 2.1 points, 1.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. During his junior year with the Quakers, he played 25 games with 11 starts, averaging 4.4 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists while shooting 32.4% from three-point range.
Before playing Division I basketball, Williams started from JUCO and built an impressive resume. During the 2022-23 season at Mineral Area College, he played 30 of 31 games and led the Cardinals in scoring (10.9 PPG) and assists (2.5 APG) while ranking second in steals (1.4 SPG). He also recorded 18 double-figure scoring games and was named to the all-tournament team at the Region 16 Championship.
Williams then transferred to Triton College in Illinois for the 2023-24 season, where he started all 37 games for a standout 34-3 team that reached the NJCAA national championship game. He ranked third on the team in scoring (15.0 PPG) while leading in assists (5.4 APG), adding 3.8 rebounds and 54 steals after the season.
Dec 29, 2024; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn Quakers guard Dylan Williams (2) defends Penn State Nittany Lions guard Ace Baldwin Jr (1) during the second half at Bryce Jordan Center. Penn State defeated Penn 86-66. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O'Haren-Imagn ImagesInside his sophomore surge, Williams scored in double figures in 33 games, including eight 20-plus-point performances. He earned Bud Obee Outstanding Small Player Award at the NJCAA national championship weekend and was named all-tournament after helping win the Region 4 title.
After a prolific season, Williams leapt out of JUCO and commited to Penn for the 2024-25 season. Despite limited opportunities in Ivy League play, Williams scored double-digits in four games across two seasons and showed playmaking ability, including registering five assists against Villanova in the Big 5 Classic before injury curtailed his senior season.
Northwestern has experienced significant reshuffling ahead of the 2026-27 season, retaining only three familiar faces — Angelo Ciaravino, Jake West and Phoenix Gill — while adding eight players from the transfer portal. Williams also becomes the fifth guard in the current roster alongside LA Pratt, West, Gill and Aleksej Kostić.
As a true point guard, Williams is expected to provide valuable backcourt depth and help Chris Collins, who played a wider rotation last season, in running a more flexible offense after losing Nick Martinelli.
The Wildcats already secured three 2026 class freshmen: Jayden Hodge, Symon Ghai and Elijah Eschmeyer. After adding Williams, Northwestern has one available roster spot left to finalize their lineup for next season.
