The 2023 Class in the state is a little ways off still, but one prospect that has already proven to me that he is one student-athlete that college programs need to keep a close eye on is Perry High School's gifted young talent, 6-foot-4 rising sophomore guard Cody Williams. The younger brother of Santa Clara University rising star guard Jalen Williams, this younger version of the Williams' brothers is a big-time talent himself, and is one young prospect definitely on the rise.
Last season, as a mere freshman at Perry High School, Cody Williams emerged on the varsity team and saw valuable minutes early in the high school process with a very talented group. While the team would struggle (15-14) throughout the high school season, Williams would become a major bright spot for the future for Head Coach Sam Duane Jr.
Williams is a rare find for his young age, as he is a very crafty and smooth offensive threat that has a skill level rarely found among prospects his age. Not that he is a dominant offensive weapon yet, but he will be. Rather, it is the manner in which he is able to score, as the game comes very easy to him. He has a superb handle of the basketball and an excellent feel for the game, which is common for a young prospect brought up in such an amazing basketball family. He is also has a pure shooting stroke with nice range and a quick release, and can score from the stand-still position or on the move. He has a variety of floaters in his bag when he gets in the lane, and has a knack for scoring over bigger defenders already. He can also pass the basketball with either hand and simply makes the game look easy.
Williams is also a slick defender that plays passing lanes and makes it difficult for opposing guards to get off, as he is also a very good on-the-ball defender with quick hands and feet. He could develop into a lock-down defender over time and with continued focus and hard work.
It is still very early for the 2023 Class from a recruiting standpoint, and especially when you consider that the COVID-19 pandemic eliminated any evaluations this spring and summer, and Arizona remains a very under recruited state overall, it will be some time before college programs will get to see this young man perform. And that is fine, as he is still very young. But I can assure you, once college programs get to see him compete, and watch him closely, his true potential for the game and extreme upside are glaring attributes that college programs will notice a great deal.
Over time, I expect Williams to become one of the elite overall prospects in the West for his class, and he will definitely receive his share of college recruitment, and, ultimately, college offers.
I will continue to keep a close eye on Williams, as he continues to mature and develop over the next few years, and look forward to seeing this young man perform, as he is one of the top young prospects in this state.
