Cody Williams Bio
Cody Leron Williams (born November 20, 2004) is an American professional basketball player for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He plays the small forward position and stands 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) tall. A consensus five-star recruit in the class of 2023, Williams played one season of college basketball at the University of Colorado before entering the NBA. He is the younger brother of Oklahoma City Thunder standout Jalen Williams, and he is widely viewed as one of the most promising young wings in the league.
Early Life and Background
Cody Leron Williams was born on November 20, 2004, in San Luis Obispo, California. Shortly after his birth, his family relocated to Gilbert, Arizona, where he spent the majority of his childhood. He is the son of Ron Williams and Nicole Williams, and he grew up alongside two older siblings, Jasmine and Jalen. The family’s athletic background helped shape his early interest in basketball, and he was introduced to organized competition at a young age.
Williams attended Perry High School in Gilbert, where he quickly developed into one of the top prospects in the country. As a junior, he was named the Premier Region Player of the Year after averaging 13 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals per game, helping the Pumas capture the Class 6A state championship. In his senior season, he elevated his production to 18.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 4 assists per game, leading Perry to a 30–1 record and a second consecutive state title. He also represented the United States at the 2023 Nike Hoop Summit.
Path to Basketball
During his senior year, Williams was selected to play in the 2023 McDonald’s All-American Boys Game, one of the highest honors for a high school basketball player. Recruiting services ranked him as a consensus five-star prospect and one of the top players in the 2023 class. On November 9, 2022, he committed to the University of Colorado, choosing the Buffaloes over offers from LSU, Arizona, UCLA, and USC. He became the highest-ranked committed recruit in Colorado program history and the first five-star recruit to sign with the school.
As a freshman at Colorado, Williams averaged 11.9 points and 3.0 rebounds per game while helping the Buffaloes reach the NCAA Tournament. His strong all-around play earned him a selection to the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team. Following the conclusion of the 2023–2024 season, he declared for the 2024 NBA Draft, capping one of the most anticipated college debuts in recent Colorado history.
Cody Williams Career
Early Career (2023–2024)
Williams’ first notable stretch at the national level came during his lone season with the Colorado Buffaloes. Operating as a versatile forward, he contributed efficiently on both ends of the floor and showed the type of court vision that had made him a five-star recruit. His freshman campaign ended with a berth in the NCAA Tournament and a Pac-12 All-Freshman honor, confirming his status as a future professional.
That same year, Williams was named to the United States under-19 national team for the 2023 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup, where he was coached by Colorado head coach Tad Boyle. The international experience provided him with a platform to test his skills against top competition and further raised his profile ahead of the draft.
NBA Breakthrough (2024–2025)
On June 26, 2024, Cody Leron Williams was selected with the tenth overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Utah Jazz. He signed his rookie contract on July 2, 2024, formally beginning his professional career. Throughout his rookie season, the Jazz assigned him multiple times to the Salt Lake City Stars, their NBA G League affiliate, in order to give him consistent playing time and facilitate his development.
During his first NBA season, Williams averaged 4.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. Although his statistical output was modest, the Jazz remained patient with his progression, viewing him as a long-term building block. He adjusted to the pace and physicality of professional basketball while learning the team’s offensive and defensive systems under the coaching staff’s guidance.
Utah Jazz Era (2025–Present)
Entering the 2025–2026 season, Williams began to see an increase in minutes and a more defined role within the rotation. In a notable early stretch, he earned his first NBA start against the Dallas Mavericks, scoring eight points while tallying four rebounds and two steals in 22 minutes of action. The performance signaled growing trust from the coaching staff and a clearer pathway toward a larger role.
On March 15, Williams recorded a career-high 34 points to go along with seven rebounds in a narrow 111–113 loss to the Sacramento Kings. The outburst demonstrated the scoring potential that had originally made him a top-ten pick. Despite some growing pains, including a historically difficult plus-minus game against the Charlotte Hornets on January 10, 2026, his progression has been viewed as encouraging by teammates and analysts alike.
Driving Style and Strengths
Williams is recognized for his length, fluidity, and high basketball IQ, traits that allow him to operate as a connective wing at the NBA level. His court vision, ability to attack closeouts, and defensive versatility are considered his most translatable strengths. As he continues to add strength to his 190-pound frame, his game is expected to expand, particularly as a secondary playmaker and on-the-ball defender.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his signature moments, Williams’ 34-point performance against the Sacramento Kings in March 2026 stands out as his most prolific scoring output to date. He also became the first five-star recruit to commit to Colorado, and his selection as a McDonald’s All-American in 2023 cemented his place among the elite prospects of his generation. Being drafted tenth overall further validated his standing as one of the top talents from the 2023 class.
Cody Williams Career Highlights
Although still early in his career, Cody Leron Williams has assembled a number of noteworthy achievements across the high school, college, and professional ranks. His résumé includes multiple All-American honors, a Pac-12 All-Freshman selection, and a top-ten selection in the 2024 NBA Draft.
High School and College Highlights
Williams earned McDonald’s All-American, Jordan Brand Classic, and Nike Hoop Summit recognition in 2023, three of the most prestigious pre-college awards in American basketball. He was also a two-time Arizona Class 6A state champion with Perry High School, leading the program to a 30–1 record in his senior year. At Colorado, he capped his freshman season with a Pac-12 All-Freshman Team nod and a trip to the NCAA Tournament.
Other Performances
Williams represented the United States at the 2023 FIBA Under-19 Basketball World Cup, where he gained valuable international experience. He also competed for the Salt Lake City Stars in the NBA G League during his rookie season, posting several productive outings that contributed to his continued growth.
Cody Williams Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Cody Leron Williams is the son of Ron Williams and Nicole Williams. He has two older siblings, Jasmine and Jalen. The Williams household placed a strong emphasis on athletics, and that environment helped foster Cody’s competitive drive and work ethic. His older brother Jalen Williams has become a prominent figure in his own right, currently starring for the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA.
Personal Life
Williams comes from a close-knit family that has supported his basketball journey from an early age. His relationship with his older brother Jalen has been a notable influence on his development, with the two often training together during offseasons. He remains focused on his professional career and continues to be regarded as a rising talent within the Utah Jazz organization.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025–2026 season represented Cody Leron Williams’ first meaningful opportunity to establish himself as a regular contributor for the Utah Jazz. With increased minutes, he began to show flashes of the potential that had made him a top-ten pick, including his first career start against the Dallas Mavericks. His growing comfort within the rotation suggested a more permanent role was within reach.
His career-high 34-point performance against the Sacramento Kings in mid-March served as a defining moment of the season, showcasing his scoring upside. The year was not without adversity, as a historically difficult plus-minus outing against the Charlotte Hornets in January 2026 tested his resilience. Still, his overall trajectory pointed toward continued growth and a more prominent place in the Jazz’s long-term plans.
Looking ahead, Williams’ development will likely be measured by his consistency on both ends of the floor and his ability to stay healthy through the rigors of an 82-game schedule. With the Jazz in the midst of a youth-driven rebuild, he is positioned to play a central role in the franchise’s next competitive era. His blend of size, skill, and basketball IQ makes him a cornerstone of Utah’s forward-thinking roster construction.
