Former Penn guard Dylan Williams commits to Northwestern

After two years representing the Red and Blue, 2026 College graduate and guard Dylan Williams has committed to Northwestern for the 2026-27 season. 

Williams’ transfer to the Big Ten program is just another step in the unorthodox career trajectory of the Columbia, S.C., native, who will have played for four schools in five seasons.

Williams began his collegiate career in the junior college system, playing his freshman year at Mineral Area College, which competes at the Division I level in the National Junior College Athletic Association. During the 2022-23 season, Williams led the Cardinals in assists per game and points per game while ranking second on the team in steals per game.

He then transferred to Triton College, where he found even greater success. Williams was a main contributor on a Triton squad that went 34-3, leading the Trojans in assists while averaging 15 points per game and shooting over 40% from deep. That season, the Trojans won the NJCAA Region 4 title, with Williams being named to the all-tournament team. The team also made a run to the NJCAA Division I National Championships, where Williams was named “best small man” in the division. 

In his junior year, Williams transferred to Penn, making the jump from junior college to NCAA Division I basketball. During the 2024-25 season, the guard was a consistent member of then-coach Steve Donahue’s rotation, playing in 25 of the Quakers’ 27 games and starting in 11.

Unfortunately, Williams’ 2025-26 season was cut short due to injury after getting minutes in seven early-season games to start the year. However, Williams’ reduced season wasn’t without its bright spots — the guard reached 1,000 career points in the Red and Blue’s Cathedral Classic victory over Merrimack in late November.

Due to the Ivy League’s 4-in-4 eligibility rule, Williams cannot use his final season of eligibility with the Quakers. On Friday, Williams confirmed to Conor Smith of the Philadelphia Inquirer that he would be taking his talents to a rebuilding squad at Northwestern. Williams is the eighth transfer to commit to the Wildcats during the off-season, joining fellow Ivy League guard Ryan Soulis, who previously played for Columbia. 

The Wildcats finished the 2025-26 season with a 15-19 overall record and a 5-15 conference record, good for 15th in the Big Ten.Williams joins a core composed of young guards, most notably Jake West and Angelo Ciaravino, as they look to have their first winning conference record since the 2023-24 season.

With his transfer to Northwestern, Williams joins fellow 2026 College graduate guard/forward Ethan Roberts in making the jump from the Ivy League to a Power Four program.