Cody Williams Difficult Rookie Season Ends Prematurely
Apr 2, 2025, 2:14 PM | Updated: 2:17 pm
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 05: Cody Williams #5 of the Utah Jazz reacts against the Washington Wizards during the first half at Capital One Arena on March 5, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
(Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams has seen his season come to an end after being diagnosed with mononucleosis.
The Jazz announced the end to Williams’ rookie campaign with six games left in the season.
“Williams tested positive for mononucleosis on April 1,” the team wrote in a release. “He will miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season and will be re-evaluated in three weeks before starting off-season conditioning.”
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Cody Williams Had Difficult Rookie Season For Jazz
Williams’s diagnosis caps an underwhelming rookie campaign after being selected with the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft.
The Colorado product averaged 4.6 points and 2.3 rebounds while shooting 32 percent from the floor and 26 percent from the three-point line.
Williams’s field goal percentage is the lowest among all players drafted in the lottery, and the second-worst among any first-round selection.
With Cody Williams rookie season ending, it’s hard to find many comps who made the NBA after having the same offensive inefficiencies in their first years.
Names that do stick out are Deuce McBride, Vince Williams, Spencer Dinwiddie, and Reggie Jackson.
Important summer ahead.
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) April 2, 2025
The Jazz wing’s three-point percentage was fourth-worst among all first-round picks.
Williams scored in double-digits only four times during his rookie season while failing to record a point in seven of his 50 appearances.
In nine appearances during the G League Tip Off Tournament with the Salt Lake City Stars, the rookie averaged 14.6 points and 4.6 rebounds, but shot just 32 percent from the floor and 19 percent from three.
Despite his offensive struggles, Williams showed promise on the defensive end with strong positioning and length.
Jazz Offer Injury Updates On Markkanen, Collins
In addition to the status of Cody Williams, the Jazz offered updates on Lauri Markkanen and John Collins.
Collins sprained his ankle against the Memphis Grizzlies on March 12 and has not retaken the floor since.
“Collins was re-evaluated for his left ankle sprain after progressing through initial stages of rehab,” the team said. “He will begin to ramp up his on-court basketball progression and will be re-evaluated in one week.”
Cody Williams season is done, have to keep an eye on Lauri Markkanen and John Collins. pic.twitter.com/qL3gLCsaJv
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) April 2, 2025
Markkanen has been away from the team for personal reasons before contracting an illness.
Upon his preparation to return, the team diagnosed the former All-Star with a knee injury.
“Markkanen returned to Salt Lake City on March 31 for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of his left knee, which revealed patellofemoral chondrosis with associated subchondral edema, with no other structural damage. He will be re-evaluated in 7-10 days after,” the team announced.
The Jazz have six games remaining in the regular season, which concludes on Sunday, April 13.
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Ben Anderson is the Utah Jazz insider for KSL Sports and the co-host of Jake and Ben from 10-12p with Jake Scott on 97.5 The KSL Sports Zone. Find Ben on Twitter at @BensHoops, on Instagram @BensHoops, or on BlueSky.
