NBA mock draft: Could Colorado's Cody Williams be No. 1 overall pick in 2024 NBA Draft?
A recent NBA mock draft has Colorado's Cody Williams projected to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Why is that significant?
Well, Williams played at Gilbert Perry High School and has a chance to become just the second player from an Arizona school to go No. 1 overall in the NBA Draft and the first from a public school in the state to accomplish that feat (Deandre Ayton went No. 1 overall in the 2018 NBA Draft out of Phoenix Hillcrest Prep, a basketball academy).
Williams, a freshman forward for Colorado, is averaging 13.7 points per game for the Buffaloes this season.
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Why Cody Williams could be No. 1 pick in 2024 NBA Draft
For the Win's Bryan Kalbrosky, who has Williams projected to be the first pick by the Washington Wizards in his mock draft, wrote this of the former Arizona high school star:
"Washington could consider a few different routes when they’re on the clock and one of those names they’ll consider is Cody Williams, whose brother Jalen has emerged as an impactful player for the Thunder. Cody has clear upside and versatility and he can score efficiently playing on-ball at 6-foot-8. He still needs to improve his consistency but his name is a very strong bet as one of the first called from the NCAA ranks."
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NBA mock draft projections for Cody Williams
Williams is far from a consensus pick at No. 1, however.
CBS Sports has him going No. 6 in its most recent mock draft, with David Cobb writing: "If you want to nitpick, Williams has turned the ball over a lot and hasn't rated as one of Colorado's top defenders during his freshman season. But his offensive efficiency has been off the charts, and he's got all the physical tools and talent needed to potentially develop into an NBA All-Star."
Bleacher Report projects Williams as the No. 6 pick as well, with Jonathan Wasserman writing: "A lost season for the Memphis Grizzlies could allow them to add a key piece like Cody Williams. It would be an ideal landing spot for the 6'8" wing who's more of a complementary scorer and passer. While Williams doesn't create offense at a high level, he finishes at one as a transition weapon, driver, cutter and spot-up shooter. With high-end role-player projections from scouts, he's starting to draw comparisons to three-and-D wings like Jaden McDaniels."
The Ringer has Williams projected to go No. 5 overall, with Kevin O'Connor writing: The Blazers are stacked with young guards in the backcourt, so they need some size in this draft. As a secondary creator with the defensive skill to complement their core pieces, Williams fits the bill."
Tankathon has Williams slotted in as the No. 4 pick in the June 27 NBA Draft, as does NBA Draft Room.
More: Perry's Cody Williams named to McDonald's All-American high school basketball game
Cody Williams can make history for Arizona high schools
Even if Williams doesn't go No. 1 overall, he'd make history just by going in the first round of the draft in joining previous NBA draft picks from Arizona like Ayton, Sean Elliott (No. 3 overall in 1989), Mike Bibby (No. 2 overall in 1998), Fat Lever (No. 11 overall in 1982) and Richard Jefferson (No. 13 overall in 2001).
He'd also join his brother, Jalen Williams, who was the No. 12 pick out of Santa Clara by the Oklahoma City Thunder in the 2022 NBA draft and who also played at Perry High, giving Arizona its first set of brothers to be first-round NBA draft picks.
More: Perry 5-star basketball recruit Cody Williams signs with Colorado
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: NBA mock draft 2024: Colorado's Cody Williams to make Arizona history
