Cody Williams Scouting Report: Pro Comps and Predictions for 2024 NBA Draft Prospect

Cody Williams Full Scouting Report

School: Colorado

Nationality: USA

Age: 19

Position: Wing

Size: 6'8", 190 lbs

Within just a few weeks of Cody Williams' arrival at Colorado, NBA scouts quickly began moving him into their top tiers.

Williams had been on scouts' radars coming in, but after some shaky play at the 2023 Nike Hoop Summit and U19 World Cup, questions began to emerge over his readiness.

He answered them instantly at Colorado.

While Williams' long-term potential was always evident, he backed it up with both production and efficiency in college. He also surprisingly looked like one of the more mature prospects this draft cycle in spite of his age.

Williams is the younger brother of Jalen Williams, the budding Oklahoma City Thunder star. Cody seems poised to generate similar lottery interest in June.

Projected NBA Role and Pro Comparisons

Photos by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images

Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota Timberwolves

Projected role: Three-and-D slasher

Comparisons: Jaden McDaniels, Jerami Grant

Ideally, Williams will establish spot-up three-point shooting as a strength to go with his slashing and defense. A realistic outcome has him contributing in a complementary role offensively, hitting catch-and-shoot jumpers, play-finishing and picking the right spots to attack in transition, off ball screens or in space.

His body type, off-ball efficiency and defense could mirror Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels. He's one of the league's premier three-and-D wings, although he lacks the creation and explosion to consistently score in volume.

Depending how much Williams' off-the-dribble game and shotmaking evolve, he could turn into another version of Jerami Grant, who's now become a top option after starting his career as a supporting piece.

Draft Projection

AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post

Cody Williams, Colorado

Draft ceiling: Top three

Draft Floor: Late lottery

A wide-open draft without a best clear prospect means Williams could potentially draw consideration as high as No. 1 overall. His selling points: Possessing a coveted, two-way wing archetype, ultra efficiency (compared to most top prospects), strong intangibles and a path to keep improving correctable ball-handling and shooting skills.

He's also an easy fit for most lineups, given his defensive versatility and potential to even play some small-ball 4 down the road.

There aren't enough holes in his game or projection for Williams to slip outside the lottery in this particular draft. He could wind up going in the Nos. 7-14 range if teams aren't buying his shooting numbers and see him as too raw of an offensive prospect to count on for scoring and playmaking production.

Physical Tools and Athleticism

AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post

Cody Williams, Colorado

With NBA teams always drawn to big wings, Williams has an enticing physical profile for his projected position. He uses every inch of his 6'8" size and length to finish over defenders on drives and get off his spot-up threes uncontested.

His physical tools pop defensively as well, particularly when he's extending his arms, sliding his feet and blanketing opposing guards or ball-handlers.

Athletically, Williams isn't super explosive, but he does have the ability to finish high above the rim when elevating off one foot and momentum in the open floor. In the half court, he has to be more reliant on touch shots releasing below the rim.

Signature Strengths

AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post

Cody Williams, Colorado

Driving/finishing

Williams has been most effective attacking the rim in transition, off the catch and in ball-screen situations. He's getting there without the most advanced handle, picking his spots with timely bursts and change of speed.

Once in the lane, he uses deceleration and length well to separate, and he's comfortable finishing with his left hand. Slowing down allows him to get into controlled layups. He has good touch to convert on high-arcing shots over rim protection or off the glass, too.

---

Ball-screen vision/unselfishness

Williams' assist numbers don't pop off the page, but Colorado did use him to facilitate. He doesn't generally predetermine or hunt shots for himself.

While he isn't quite a playmaker, Williams keeps his head up and usually finds open teammates on kick-outs.

---

Spot-up shooting

While the sample size was relatively small, Williams was accurate in catch-and-shoot situations (12-of-23). All but one of his 12 threes came as a spot-up or off-screen shooter.

---

Defense

Williams has excellent defensive tools and movement for guarding the perimeter and contesting shots inside the arc. He possesses the right mix of positional size, length, foot speed and effort to develop into a valuable wing defender, which is an archetype that every NBA team covets.

Notable Weaknesses

Self-creation

Williams isn't particularly sharp handling or creating on the ball. He can be easy to strip, and we've seen few signs of skill or footwork separating into dribble jumpers.

NBA teams can't expect Williams to become an isolation threat anytime soon. Over the next few years, he'll likely spend the majority of his half-court minutes spotting up and cutting.

---

Physicality

At 190 pounds, Williams isn't difficult to move backward, and he isn't strong with the ball when pressured or in traffic.

Despite his height, he's also not a factor under the boards. He averaged only 3.2 rebounds per game as a freshman.

---

Shooting legitimacy

Shooting wasn't considered a strength of Williams out of high school, so it's worth questioning the legitimacy of his 41.0 percent three-point shooting.

Low volume (1.8 three-point attempts per game), no pull-up game and a 72.1 free-throw percentage are all reasons to question how his shotmaking will translate to the NBA.