Tag: Cody Williams

Cody Williams: NBA draft scouting report and intel

2004 | 6’8 | 7’2 WS | 180 LBS Team: Colorado Best aggregate mock draft rank: 3 / Worst rank: 17 Estimated NIL earnings: Over $150,000 (Celsius, Topps) 2023-24 Stats: Williams averaged 28.1 minutes per game, shooting 55.2 percent from the field, 41.5 …

2004 | 6’8 | 7’2 WS | 180 LBS 

Team: Colorado

Best aggregate mock draft rank: 3 / Worst rank: 17

Estimated NIL earnings: Over $150,000 (Celsius, Topps)

2023-24 Stats:

Williams averaged 28.1 minutes per game, shooting 55.2 percent from the field, 41.5 percent from three-point range, and 71.4 percent from the free-throw line. He also contributed 3.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 0.7 blocks, 0.6 steals, and scored 11.9 points per game.

His parents, Ronald and Nicole Williams, were both members of the United States Air Force. His older brother is 2022 former lottery pick Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Cody Williams undecided on next move following freshman season at Colorado

Cody Williams was asked about his future following the final game of his freshman season

While Colorado men’s basketball forward Cody Williams remains a projected top-10 selection in this year’s NBA draft and has been since high school, a roller coaster freshman season riddled with injuries has put the surefire lottery pick’s future on ice.

Williams’ draft stock has stayed about the same after he averaged 11.9 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 24 games played this season while being one of the Buffs’ top defenders. But when asked about what lies ahead after Colorado’s season-ending NCAA Tournament loss to Marquette, he told The Gazette’s Tyler King that he has “no clue” what the next month will have in store.

The 6-foot-8 forward was one of the best freshmen in the country when healthy, showing off his lengthy frame, freakish athleticism and two-way upside. However, a wrist injury, a fractured orbital bone and an ankle issue limited his time on the court. The ankle injury, Williams’ most recent setback, sidelined him for the final four games of the regular season.

When Williams returned from his latest injury, the season-long starter came off the bench for the entirety of the Pac-12 Tournament and Colorado’s brief March Madness run. He struggled during CU’s biggest games, he averaged only 5.5 points, 2.2 rebounds and 0.8 assists across the six games on 15-of-38 shooting (39.5%) from the field.

Although he did secure Pac-12 All-Freshman honors, another year at the college level may benefit him in the long run. His older brother, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Jalen Williams, spent three years at Santa Clara before going 12th overall in the 2022 NBA draft.

Williams does have some flaws, such as off-ball defensive positioning and overall comfortability with higher-level hoops. Assuming he does enter this year’s draft, whichever team selects the talented 19-year-old will get to work on the areas he needs to improve. But another year working with head coach Tad Boyle and his staff may help.

Either way, it doesn’t seem like there is a wrong decision for Williams. With Tristan da Silva and Luke O’Brien graduating this year and KJ Simpson expected to test the NBA draft waters, Colorado would welcome Williams back with open arms.

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Where Colorado’s big three stand in ESPN’s latest NBA mock draft following March Madness run

KJ Simpson and Tristan da Silva’s NBA draft stocks benefited from Colorado’s March Madness run

Although they fell short of upsetting Marquette, Colorado stars KJ Simpson, Tristan da Silva and Cody Williams each impressed in their second-round NCAA men’s basketball tournament game on Sunday.

The Buffs’ big three combined for 49 points with a boatload of national eyeballs focused on the high-scoring March Madness matchup. In the aftermath, da Silva’s NBA draft stock improved, the freshman Williams Williams remains a projected lottery pick and Simpson may also test the draft waters this spring.

ESPN released an updated 2024 NBA mock draft on Monday (subscription required) and each of those three found a landing spot. Williams and da Silva were projected first-rounders — No. 9 (Utah Jazz) and No. 18 (Miami Heat), respectively — while Simspon went 39th overall to the New York Knicks.

In late November, ESPN projected da Silva as the 36th overall pick and had Williams at No. 12.

Simpson, who was arguably snubbed for Pac-12 Player of the Year, enjoyed the best season of his college career as Colorado’s starting point guard. The junior averaged career-highs in points (19.7 per game), assists (4.8) and rebounds (5.8).

As for Williams, some are arguing that he’d benefit from another year at the college level due to his injury issues. We should learn soon whether or not the former five-star prospect agrees.

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Potential Thunder draft prospect Cody Williams’ tournament run ends in loss to Marquette

Potential Thunder draft prospect Cody Williams’ tournament run ends in loss to Marquette.

The Oklahoma City Thunder could have two 2024 first-round picks in the lottery range. They own the Houston Rockets’ top-four protected pick and the Utah Jazz’s top-10 protected pick. The former looks more likely to come to OKC than the latter.

As the NCAA Tournament progresses, the top prospects are in the spotlight as they draw national attention for their postseason performances.

Considering the Thunder will likely have at least one lottery pick, plenty of possible additions via the draft give fans a chance to see how they match up in high-stress situations.

One possibility is Colorado forward Cody Williams, whose freshman season ended in an 81-77 loss to No. 2 Marquette in the round of 32 on Sunday.

Williams finished with 12 points on 5-of-10 shooting and two blocks in 28 minutes off the bench.

Williams has been highly touted as one of the best prospects in his class. The 6-foot-8 wing averaged 12.6 points on 57% shooting, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists. He’s projected as a complimentary scorer and playmaker with a nice feel around the basket. At 19 years old, he has plenty of room to grow at the next level.

The Thunder will likely need to trade up to pair Williams with his older brother, Jalen Williams. He could provide OKC with another versatile wing, which is a hot commodity in the league.

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Potential Thunder draft prospect Cody Williams contributes in Colorado’s win over Florida

Potential Thunder draft prospect Cody Williams contributes in Colorado’s win over Florida.

The Oklahoma City Thunder could have two 2024 first-round picks in the lottery range. They own the Houston Rockets’ top-four protected pick and the Utah Jazz’s top-10 protected pick. The former looks more likely to go to OKC than the latter.

As the NCAA Tournament progresses, the top prospects are in the spotlight as they draw national eyes for their postseason performances.

Considering the Thunder will likely have at least one lottery pick, plenty of possible additions via the draft give fans a chance to see how they match up in high-stress situations.

One possibility is Colorado forward Cody Williams, who helped them advance in their 102-100 win over Florida in the Round of 64 on Friday.

Williams had nine points on 2-of-3 shooting, three assists and two rebounds in 25 minutes off the bench. He shot 5-of-7 from the free-throw line.

Colorado’s KJ Simpson knocked down a game-winning baseline jumper to give them the late two-point lead with two seconds to spare.

Williams has been highly touted as one of the best prospects in his class. The 6-foot-8 wing averaged 12.6 points on 57% shooting, 3.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists. He’s projected as a complimentary scorer and playmaker with a nice feel around the basket. At 19 years old, he has plenty of room to grow at the next level.

The Thunder will likely need to trade up to pair Williams with his older brother Jalen Williams. He could provide OKC with another versatile wing, which is a hot commodity in the league.

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Colorado seniors Tristan da Silva, Luke O’Brien set for final career regular season home game

Tristan da Silva and Luke O’Brien will play their final regular season game at the CU Events Center tonight

For Colorado men’s basketball seniors Tristan da Silva and Luke O’Brien, Sunday’s contest against Stanford will mark their final career regular season game at the CU Events Center. For others, they’ll be celebrating their departing teammates.

If you ask da Silva about his final career home game, just thinking about the concept leads his mind astray.

“What was the question?” da Silva joked after beating California on Wednesday. “Honestly, I’m in disbelief. To be honest, I don’t know what to say. Every time I think about it. I just, I just go blank. So I mean, obviously I’m super grateful for the whole four years that I’ve been here, for the people that I got to know, the families, the brotherhood that I got to know here.”

Da Silva and O’Brien have both enjoyed some big moments throughout their college careers. This year, O’Brien found himself as the team’s “sixth starter,” starting 10 games in place of injured players.

However, Da Silva and O’Brien technically have the option to return. Fellow seniors J’Vonne Hadley and Eddie Lampkin Jr. won’t be honored on Sunday, signaling they’ll be playing another year.

At 19-9 overall and 10-7 in Pac-12 play, the seniors’ last showing at home comes with great importance as they push for a March Madness berth. They need to secure not only Sunday’s matchup against Stanford but ideally the following two games on the road against Oregon and Oregon State.

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ESPN’s latest mock draft has Cody Williams headed to Chauncey Billups’ Blazers

ESPN is projecting Cody Williams to join Chauncey Billups and Jabari Walker in Portland

Due to injuries, Cody Williams’ freshman season on the Colorado men’s basketball team has been up and down. The former five-star recruit has flashed greatness in multiple big games but health issues have prevented him from displaying his elite abilities consistently.

Regardless, Williams will likely enter his name into the 2024 NBA draft and could be selected early in the first round. ESPN released its latest mock draft on Tuesday (subscription required) and Williams went fifth overall to the Portland Trail Blazers.

If ESPN’s projection lands, Williams would likely play for CU Buffs great Chauncey Billups, who’s currently navigating his third season as the Blazers’ head coach. Fellow former Buff Jabari Walker is also in Portland and averaging 8.3 points in his second NBA season.

Williams, the younger brother of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams, is averaging 14.2 points on 52.9% shooting in what could be his only collegiate season.

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247Sports names Cody Williams as contender for Pac-12 Freshman of the Year

If he can stay healthy, Cody Williams is a contender for Pac-12 Freshman of the Year

If he can stay healthy down the stretch, Colorado men’s basketball forward Cody Williams is a contender to win Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.

The former five-star recruit leads the Buffs in shooting at 57.9% and is averaging about 15 points per game. However, Williams has been set back by multiple injuries, allowing him to play in only 13 of CU’s 22 games so far. It remains likely that he’ll declare for the NBA draft after this season, although his health issues could make playing another year of college the more attractive option.

Still, according to 247Sports’ Eric Bossi, Williams is in the race for Pac-12 Freshman of the Year. Bossi tabbed Washington State’s Myles Rice as the front-runner for good reason, but Williams was listed as a contender.

Here’s what Bossi wrote on Williams:

Also limited by injuries, Colorado’s five-star freshman Cody Williams has only played in six Pac-12 games thus far. When he’s been on the floor, though, he’s been incredibly efficient scoring 15.5 points while grabbing 3.8 rebounds and handing out 1.8 assists per game. For the entire season he’s shooting just under 58% from the floor and 52% from three. If he can get more games under his belt, he’s a serious challenger.

Other candidates included USC’s Isaiah Collier, UCLA’s Sebastian Mack, Arizona’s KJ Lewis, Stanford’s Kanaan Carlyle and Oregon standouts Jackson Shelstad and Kwame Evans Jr.

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2024 NBA Mock Draft: Latest first-round projections at midway point of season

Rookie Wire took a look at the 2024 NBA draft class and where the top prospects stand as of Feb. 1.

The top NBA draft prospects worldwide have collectively reached the second halves of their respective seasons as they look to showcase themselves in front of scouts and executives.

The class this year has seen several players help their stock, while others have struggled and fallen down draft boards. Some players have also dealt with recent injuries and other factors that have prevented them from reaching their potential.

The draft is widely considered open at the top of the board, with several prospects in the conversation to be the first selection. Unlike last year, when Victor Wembanyama was the consensus No. 1 pick, there is no clear-cut choice this year.

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Prospects will continue to see their standing fluctuate over the remaining two-plus months of action on the court as scouts have more time to evaluate them. The sheer unknown atop the draft board should create plenty of storylines to follow over the remainder of the season.

The NBA announced on Wednesday that the draft will be expanded to a two-night format, with the first round set to take place on June 26 at the Barclays Center. The second round will be at ESPN’s Seaport District Studios in New York the following night.

Rookie Wire looked at the class and where the top prospects stand at this point of the season. The order was determined by the reverse order of the NBA standings as of Feb. 1.

Note: Player fit wasn’t necessarily taken into account with each pick. Pick protections and other notes courtesy of Tankathon.

Cody Williams goes No. 1 overall in Yahoo Sports’ updated NBA mock draft

Cody Williams went No. 1 overall in this NBA mock draft

Colorado men’s basketball forward Cody Williams has picked up right where he left off after a wrist injury sidelined him for over a month, playing himself into the top spot of Yahoo Sports’ most recent 2024 NBA mock draft.

Williams, a former five-star prospect, notched back-to-back 20-point games before the injury, and since returning, he has averaged 17 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.5 blocks in four games. He was also named the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week on Monday.

After projecting Williams to go No. 10 to the San Antonio Spurs in November, Yahoo Sports’ Krysten Peek now believes the forward will go No. 1 overall to the Detroit Pistons.

In her justification, Peek wrote:

It’s clear the Pistons need help offensively, particularly at the wing, and Williams could add length and outside shooting (he’s 5-of-7 from 3 in the last two games). He’s also one of the best perimeter defenders in college basketball. He can guard positions 1-4 and is an elite shot blocker at the wing. Williams was a late bloomer in high school and still has a ton of room for growth. In a draft that is wide open, Williams will definitely get looks at No. 1.

While Williams still needs to prove himself as a consistent 3-point shooter, Peek was right on the mark when she claimed him as “one of the best perimeter defenders in college basketball.” At 6-foot-8 with long arms and outrageous athleticism, Williams has the potential to be not only the best prospect in the draft but the best two-way player as well.

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