Cody Williams hasn't been a standout for the Jazz, but that's a good thing

SALT LAKE CITY — Cody Williams hasn't stood out much in Utah's preseason games, but that's a good thing.

"Sometimes we all go like, 'Man, I didn't really notice him in the game very much,' but that also means you didn't notice him doing anything wrong," Utah Jazz coach Will Hardy said.

Good rookie seasons usually feature flashes of brilliance alongside an avalanche of errors. The game is faster, more physical, and just about everyone in the NBA is an elite athlete. It's normal for young players to look out of place — especially early — as they make the jump.

But that hasn't yet been the case for Williams, the No. 10 pick in the 2024 draft. It wasn't when he started against the San Antonio Spurs last weekend (17 points on 6-of-10 shooting) or when he was closing Tuesday's win over the Sacramento Kings in the closest thing he's felt to a real NBA game.

"He's doing a good job of being in the right spots," Jordan Clarkson said. "I really haven't seen him make too many mistakes, even in practice or in the game. Most of the time he's in the right spots. He's just trying to make the right play."

Indeed, and that has allowed him to fit right in alongside Clarkson, Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, Keyonte George or anyone else on the team.

Defensively, Williams isn't a big wing — at least not yet. He weighed in at 178 pounds at the draft combine and, while he bulked up a bit more over the summer, he's still a 19-year-old in a grown man's league. Still, he has found a way not to be overmatched.

To Hardy, that shows how quickly he's grasping things at the NBA level.

"He's not as strong as he's going to be, but he does an unbelievable job of using his brain and his length to make up for those things," Hardy said. "We've put him on a variety of matchups. His detail on the ball has been really good so far."

The Jazz have seen quick carryover from practice to games from Williams. If he does a few reps of a scheme or defensive rotation in practice, he's already game-ready with it. That's one reason Hardy was comfortable letting him close the game against the Kings' regular lineup on Tuesday.

"That's not to say that he's perfect, nobody is, but it's been very — shocking is the wrong word because I don't want to say I didn't think that Cody was going to be great, but for a young player to pick things up as quickly as he is — is startling in a good way," Hardy said.

That has raised Williams' floor as he enters his rookie campaign. It will be even higher if the Jazz can get him to be a bit more aggressive in looking for his own offense.

"He's getting more and more comfortable. He's not afraid. He can play right away, for sure," Markkanen said. "He knows how to play a game with or without the ball. He knows when to cut, makes the right play, and he's got a lot better, too."

Williams said he's been focused on watching film and getting reps in practice to help lock things down. But he credits his teammates for being willing to answer all of his questions — and he's had a lot. No matter if it's in the middle of a game or practice, he hasn't been afraid to pull Clarkson, Sexton, Markkanen or anyone else aside to try and get an answer.

Another thing that's helped? Utah's youth. With the team so young, Williams hasn't felt too much pressure to play perfectly — which, ironically, has helped him get closer to doing just that.

"When you have that freedom, it gives you confidence," he said. "You play your game and explore and know that if you make mistakes, it's okay. You can get it back on defense or on to the next play. So I think having that cushion really allows you to try new things and get more comfortable."

That has helped him to blend right in on an NBA court — in all the right ways.

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