Colorado signee Cody Williams has strong showing in McDonald’s All-American Game

Colorado signee Cody Williams showed off why he’s one of the highest-ranked recruits in the country during the McDonald’s All-American Game

At the conclusion of the high school basketball season, the best prep prospects in the country assemble to play one star-studded game against each other before they embark on their college careers later that year.

Usually, colleges like Kentucky and Duke adorn the marquee with the top prospects in the country set to join their programs. That didn’t change, but there was one notable departure from the status quo in the 2023 version of the McDonald’s All-American Game in five-star Cody Williams.

The 6-foot-8 forward from Perry High School (Gilbert, Arizona) started in the game, and the No. 8 prospect in the 2023 class (247Sports) did well for himself against some of the best the nation had to offer.

Williams, the highest-ranked recruit to ever sign with the Buffs, scored eight points on the night and showed a passing prowess beyond his years that led to a dunk for the East team.

That’s both an incredibly quick and smart read in transition for the wing as well as good execution to put that pass right where it needed to be to prevent a deflection.

Additionally, Williams showed off his explosiveness at the rim during the showcase.

One of Williams’ hallmark traits is as a defender, and he showed as much in a scrimmage leading up to the game.

In the first clip in the highlight directly above, Williams was able to both defend against a center rolling to the rim and also have enough range to get back toward his primary assignment in the left corner and break up the pass. If this was a game situation, it would have led to a transition opportunity as well.

The capability to be an effective defender against both a roller while still leaving enough time to get back to a primary assignment is rare for a high school prospect, and his defensive anticipation is what really sets Williams apart in his class.

The Arizona product has made a name for himself over the past couple of years, and his time at the All-American Game — both in scrimmages leading up to it and the game itself — was another great sign of what’s to come when he joins the Buffs next season.

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