Buffs’ Williams, likely lottery pick, to enter draft

Colorado freshman guard Cody Williams — an expected lottery pick — is entering the 2024 NBA draft, he told ESPN on Monday.

Williams — No. 10 in ESPN’s list of Top 100 prospects — is one of the class’s best defenders and brought an elite level of intensity guarding the best scorer that Colorado faced on most nights. His 6-foot-8 frame and 7-foot-1 wingspan was especially problematic for smaller guards.

Williams — who is the younger brother of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jalen Williams — showed an ability to attack in the open floor using his size, long strides, footwork and creativity as a finisher to convert 59% of his two-point attempts. Also, Williams made 42% of his three-pointers on a small sample size, just under two attempts a game.

Williams averaged 11.9 points, three rebounds and 1.9 assists on 55.2% shooting in 24 games for the Buffaloes.

Williams has strong basketball instincts and is a late bloomer on a similar developmental trajectory as his brother Jalen — who didn’t emerge as a serious NBA prospect until his third season in college.

Williams emerged as an early No. 1 pick candidate, debuting at No. 2 in ESPN’s first 2024 mock draft in February of 2023, but was unable to display the best version of himself due to a series of minor injuries last season.

Jonathan Givony is an NBA draft expert and the founder and co-owner of DraftExpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international teams.