Cody Williams was the fifth Colorado Buffaloes basketball player to win the Pac-12 Freshman of the Week award, and he'll likely be the last -- though this award might not be Williams's last -- with CU joining the Big 12 at the beginning of the 2024-25 athletic calendar in July. Williams labeled the honor as a good mark of progress.
“It just feels good and kind of lets me know I’m on the right track. I’m doing some good things out there,” Williams said (h/t BuffZone). “So I’ve just got to keep playing unselfish, keep playing my game. But it is nice to kind of have that recognition. It kind of helps me know I’m doing the right things.”
The younger brother of Oklahoma City Thunder starter Jalen Williams, Cody has recently been projected to go No. 1 overall in the 2024 NBA draft by Yahoo Sports' Krysten Peek.
"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)," peak wrote. "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."
Cody Williams could strength Colorado's NBA legacy
Colorado has never had head-of-the-marquee guys in the NBA, but there's an impressive list of stars, mostly guards, who have come from Boulder: Chauncey Billups, Derrick White, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Alec Burks, to name a few.
Williams has the chance to be the first No. 1 overall pick in the University of Colorado's history if his level of play sustains or elevates.