News Summary
As the Utah Jazz prepare for the upcoming NBA season, they emphasize player development, particularly for second-year wing Cody Williams. After a challenging rookie year, Williams is committed to improving his performance and conditioning. He demonstrated notable growth during the Summer League, showcasing his enhanced skills. With a focus on physical training and a robust preseason, Williams aims to elevate his performance and contribute to improving the Jazz’s team defense.
Salt Lake City – The Utah Jazz are placing a strong emphasis on player development as they approach the upcoming NBA season, particularly highlighting the growth of their younger roster members. Among these players, second-year wing Cody Williams, selected 10th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft, is dedicated to making significant improvements after a challenging rookie year.
Williams averaged 4.6 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game during his inaugural season. His shooting statistics were less than stellar, with a 32.3% success rate from the field and 25.9% from three-point range. In total, he participated in 50 games, dividing his time between the Jazz and their G League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars.
This offseason, Williams has made it his priority to enhance his performance on the court through rigorous preparation and training. He has set a goal to bring intensity and effort consistently, which he believes are critical for his development as an elite player. His focus this summer included improving his basketball conditioning and defensive abilities, essential for a Jazz team that ranked as the NBA’s worst-rated defense for two consecutive seasons.
In pursuit of these goals, Williams has committed to physical conditioning and muscle strengthening, consuming an estimated 4,800 calories daily to achieve this. He has successfully gained 13 pounds, bringing his weight to approximately 203 pounds as he heads into the 2025-26 season. Standing at 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, this physical enhancement bolsters his potential as a versatile defender capable of challenging opponents across multiple positions.
Williams exhibited notable growth during the Summer League in Las Vegas, where he averaged 19.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 2.2 steals over four games. One standout performance included a 23-point game, where he demonstrated his ability to adapt and exploit defensive weaknesses, showcasing his improved skills in real-game situations.
His teammate, Kyle Filipowski, noted Williams’ dedication during the offseason and acknowledged the strides he has made. Williams himself has emphasized the necessity of shot consistency and a strong defensive presence, acknowledging the challenges ahead as a younger team seeks to assert its dominance on the court.
In summary, Cody Williams is gearing up for his second NBA season with renewed vigor and an enhanced skill set. His focus on physical conditioning, improved effort, and mental preparation positions him well to contribute significantly to a Jazz team eager to improve its standing on the league’s defensive rankings. The upcoming season promises to be a crucial period of growth for Williams as he continues to refine his game and impact the Utah Jazz’s future.
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Additional Resources
- SI: Cody Williams Sets Clear Goal for Year Two
- Wikipedia: Utah Jazz
- NBA: Cody Williams – I Feel Stronger and More Explosive
- Google Search: Cody Williams Utah Jazz
- SLCDunk: Cody Williams Has Bulked Up Over the Offseason
- Google Scholar: Cody Williams NBA
- SI: Cody Williams Turns Heads with Offseason Improvement
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cody Williams
- KSL: Jazz’s Cody Williams is Showing Growth
- Google News: Cody Williams Utah Jazz
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LAS VEGAS STAFF WRITER The LAS VEGAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELasVegas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Las Vegas, Clark County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Electric Daisy Carnival, World Series of Poker, and Consumer Electronics Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce and Three Square Food Bank, plus leading businesses in hospitality and entertainment that power the local economy such as MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment, and Las Vegas Sands. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Nevada's dynamic landscape.
