2024 NBA Draft Prospect: Cody Williams

Cody Williams has the potential to bring on-ball defense to the team that drafts him, as well as attacking out of the pick-and-roll on offense.

2024 NBA Draft prospect: Cody Williams (Colorado)

Height without shoes, Weight, and Age when NBA season begins: 6’7”, 178 pounds, 19 years old

Standing reach: 8’7” | Wingspan: 7’1”

Mock average: 7.5

3 Observations

1. On-ball Defense - At 6’8”, Williams has a lot of length that allows him to be a versatile defender in being able to guard his primary position of small forward, but he can also switch across positions for certain possessions. There are some possessions where Williams can stay with his matchup and finish with a block, or, if the player he’s guarding beats him off the dribble, he can recover and contest the shot. Williams is able to contest both 3-point jumpers and shots at the rim fairly well. When defending near the rim, he does a good job of keeping his hands up and wide to make an attempt by the opponent more difficult against him.

2. Off-ball Defense - As mentioned, Williams can guard different positions, but he’s also able to be used in different types of schemes. One example of this was when Colorado would run a 3-2 zone on defense and because of how long and wide Williams can make himself, he would play the middle up top, to both stop the initial dribble up top and be in the middle of passing lanes to the wing arcs.

3. Driving - While Williams shot 42% from three with Colorado, he would mainly only take the spot-up three if he was wide open. His first reaction with the ball in his hands is to try to drive, either out of the triple threat, or with the use of the P&R. Williams can dribble left or right to get around the screen of the P&R. One of his driving shots he goes to in the P&R is the floater. He also isn’t afraid to seek contact and try to get himself to the free throw line. His P&R game is still developing though, both with finishing at the rim, and finding teammates. He’s also still developing beating his defender off the dribble if a screen isn’t provided or if he’s not in the triple threat position. He’s versatile on the offensive end as well by being able to bring the ball up the floor and starting the offense.

Do the Spurs have interest in Williams?

Maybe. During a broadcast on February 10 when Colorado played Arizona, the television commentators mentioned the Spurs had 4 to 5 front office members at the game. During one part of the game, R.C. Buford, CEO of Spurs Sports & Entertainment, could be seen in the crowd.

This could just mean the Spurs were doing their due diligence in scouting Williams and other players in the game, or, perhaps they do have some interest in him.

What do other draft experts say about Williams?

• Kevin O’Connor of the Ringer: Feel for the game

• Jeremy Woo of ESPN: Versatility and size

• Krysten Peek of Yahoo! Sports: Promising upside in defending transition and half-court, solid two dribble pull-up

• NBA Draft Room: Flashes of upside

• Sam Vecenie of the Athletic: Prospect with upside to pressure the rim, pass, and potentially defend multiple positions.

What are Williams’ NBA comps?

• My comp: Flashes of Caris LeVert on offense

• Kevin O’Connor of the Ringer: Shades of Jalen Rose

• NBADraftRoom.com: Less bouncy Tracy McGrady

Read about other Draft Prospects: Alexandre Sarr | Zaccharie Risacher | Nikola Topic | Ron Holland | Rob Dillingham | Stephon Castle | Dalton Knecht | Reed Sheppard | Donovan Clingan | Matas Buzelis

How would Williams fit on the San Antonio Spurs?