Colorado basketball star Cody Williams -- recently projected to go No. 1 overall in the 2024 NBA draft -- could be the first one-and-done of the Tad Boyle era in Boulder, points out Denver Sports' Jake Shapiro.
This summer’s NBA Draft could see just about anyone taken No. 1 overall, it’s not a year with standout must-take player like Victor Wembanyama in 2023," Shapiro prefaced before saying, "However, it seems Colorado Buffaloes forward Cody Williams may soon put his name next to Wembanyama. Yahoo Sports’ latest mock puts the Buffs freshman as the top pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Last month ESPN had Williams as the top college prospect in the country, but now some eyes are saying Williams is even better than the international options as well.
"Williams rejoined the team earlier this month after sitting six weeks with a wrist injury. The freshman has played in 11 games, scoring 15.1 per contest on 59% shooting, 50% from three, with 3.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists as well. All it takes is watching Tad Boyle’s team to see that Williams is one of the most talented players in the history of Colorado Men’s Basketball. If Williams even leaves for the Draft which would obviously happen if he’s supposed to go No. 1, he would be the first one-and-done player of the Boyle era."
Williams was named the fifth, and likely final, Pac-12 Freshman of the Week award winner from the University of Colorado.
Colorado basketball star Cody Williams called one of the best defenders in all of college hoops
Yahoo Sports' Krysten Peek projected Williams to go No. 1 overall to the Detroit Pistons; calling him one of the best perimeter defenders in all of college basketball in the process.
"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)," Peek 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."
The brother of OKC Thunder star Jalen Williams, Cody could finish Colorado's story in the Pac-12 and boost his draft stock to the top with continued dominance during the Buffs' remaining regular season schedule and Pac-12 Tournament.