1. Cody Williams
Colorado takes center stage on Wednesday night as they face Boise State in a play-in game. The winner takes the tenth seed in the South region and faces Florida in the opening round. The Buffalos need Williams to shine if they are going to make the round of 64.
The 19-year-old is the younger brother of Thunder future star Jalen Williams. Cody is 6’8 with more length, but a similar upside. He is averaging 12.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 29.1 minutes per game on 56.5 percent shooting from the field and 42.1 percent on his threes. Williams has shown a ton of potential and could be a top-five pick on June 26.
The Blazers need a forward with versatility. Williams can guard multiple positions, space the floor, and make plays. His 3-point shooting does not come at volume, but his brother blossomed with more space in the NBA. Cody could do the same, especially if he lands in the right situation.
The Portland Trail Blazers will likely be selecting in the top five and near the end of the lottery in the 2024 NBA Draft. They should look for upside and fit around their current core. Ultimately, the best move is to select whoever the front office believes in the most. Those opinions could change during the NCAA Tournament, so enjoy the action.