From five-star recruit to an NBA record-breaking performance
In short: Cody Williams entered the NBA with immense expectations as a top-tier prospect. While his journey includes scoring outbursts and high-level accolades, it also features a statistical anomaly that etched his name into the record books for all the wrong reasons.
Born in San Luis Obispo, California, Cody Leron Williams emerged as one of the most anticipated talents in the 2023 basketball recruiting class. After growing up in Gilbert, Arizona, and starring at Perry High School, Williams established himself as a dominant force. During his junior year, he earned Premier Region Player of the Year honors, and by his senior season, he led his team to a 30–1 record and a second straight state title, averaging 18.4 points per game.
His ascent through the amateur ranks was rapid. A consensus five-star recruit, Williams committed to the Colorado Buffaloes in November 2022, marking the first time the program secured a five-star talent. His collegiate career included a Pac-12 All-Freshman Team selection and an NCAA Tournament appearance. Following his freshman season, he entered the professional ranks, being selected tenth overall by the Utah Jazz in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Williams' professional tenure has been defined by extreme statistical swings. While he demonstrated high-scoring potential, such as a career-high 34-point performance against the Sacramento Kings in March 2026, he also experienced unprecedented lows. On January 10, 2026, during a heavy loss to the Charlotte Hornets, Williams recorded a plus/minus of −60. This figure set a new NBA record for the worst plus/minus in a single game, surpassing the previous −58 mark held by players like Scoot Henderson and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl.
The forward's career has been marked by significant movement, including a trade to the Minnesota Timberwolves in August 2026. Despite the fluctuations in his efficiency and team role, Williams remains a notable figure in the lineage of American basketball talent, following in the footsteps of his brother, Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Cody Williams
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