Cody Williams 2024 NBA Draft: Player comparison and projected draft pick for Colorado freshman

Cody Williams has scouts buzzing ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft, despite it not being considered the strongest draft class. He arrived as a much-hyped true freshman from Colorado and immediately made an impact at the college level with his athletic talent, poise and class. However, where will the dynamic forward end up on draft night? We will dig into a few potential comps and break down his likely draft range.

The former McDonald's All-Amercan, standing 6-foot-8 but able to shoot from anywhere on the floor, is a fearless driver. Williams has drawn comparisons to players like T.J. Warren, who is known for his midrange game, and his older brother Jalen Williams, a first-round pick in the 2022 draft.

Scouts rave about his basketball IQ and highlight his impressive freshman season at Colorado. He averaged good numbers with 11.9 points per game and took a low volume of shots. Williams also shot at an efficient 55.2 % from the field and showed he could be an elite defender as usual, but he managed to shoot close-to-elite. From beyond the arc, Williams shot an impressive 41.5 %.

There are still questions about his frame. He will need to bulk up to be able to withstand the pounding that goes with playing inside at the next level of competition.

One of Cody Williams' NBA comparisons is Warren from the Minnesota Timberwolves. Both are scoring big forwards, although Williams is viewed to have higher potential than Warren did when he was drafted in 2014 out of North Carolina.

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Cody Williams vs. T.J. Warren — Strengths

Warren's nickname "Silent Assassin" is pretty accurate because he looks calm at all times during games. He is at his best in isolation, where that hulking frame and crafty footwork are key to getting him space for midrange jumpers. He's a slasher who can get to the basket, but dangerous mostly as a patient jump-shooter at this stage.

Cody Williams, on the other hand, is a jack-of-all-trades. Cutting has become a defining feature of his game, allowing him to score off the ball within an offense. He can also pass, which is not a strong area for Warren.

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Cody Williams vs. T.J. Warren — Weakness

Cody Williams' biggest weakness lies in his physical frame, Offensively, more physical defenders can push him off a line while driving toward the basket. He could have a difficult time defensively against larger, physical scorers. Williams will need to add muscle and strength to win at the next level.

Warren's offensive repertoire is somewhat limited. He is talented at scoring one-on-one but does not generate chances for himself or his players. Warren's passing is merely average, and he doesn't shoot too many 3-pointers. In today's NBA, where versatility is key, it could become a liability against teams employing aggressive perimeter defense.

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Cody Williams' other NBA comparisons and draft projection

While the comparison to Warren highlights interesting similarities in Cody Williams' skill set, NBA scouts see him potentially resembling a wider range of players. That includes his older brother Jalen Williams, who plays for the OKC Thunder. Here's a breakdown of some additional comparisons and his projected draft position:

Danny Granger — Williams can shoot for a big man, dripping his jumpers midrange as effortlessly as Indy's ex-star. Neither is an elite athlete, but both can stroke it plenty and are valuable offensively.

Khris Middleton — Williams is an all-around scorer in a similar fashion to the Milwaukee Bucks All-Star. He can score on all three levels and has good shot-creation ability for himself and others plus solid defense. Both players are also assets with their high basketball IQ while excelling on the perimeter.

Cody Williams is considered a high-ceiling prospect with a range of potential landing spots. Mock drafts currently project him anywhere from the top 15 to the late lottery, according to CBS Sports.

According to reports, the Detroit Pistons are looking to acquire Williams, while the San Antonio Spurs are interested in the lanky and tall forward.

Where he lands will depend on a team's needs and his performance leading up to the draft. One thing's for sure: Cody Williams is poised to make some noise in the NBA sooner rather than later.