BROOKLYN, N.Y. — Colorado men's basketball established a historic first for the program Wednesday night when two Buffaloes were selected in the first round of the NBA Draft at the Barclays Center.
Cody Williams heard his name called by the Utah Jazz with the 10th overall pick and Tristan da Silva became the 18th overall pick when he was picked by the Orlando Magic.
Williams became the fourth-highest draft pick in CU history, trailing just Chauncey Billups (3rd, 1997), Scott Wedman (6th, 1974) and Cliff Meely (7th, 1971).
It is the first time in CU basketball history that the Buffs have had two first-round picks and the eighth time in the 14-year Tad Boyle era that Colorado has been represented in the draft. Heading into Wednesday's draft, the Buffs were tied for 11th in the nation with the most times represented in the draft over the previous 13 years.
Williams and da Silva became the eighth and ninth players from the Boyle era to be drafted and the fourth and fifth first-rounders, joining Derrick White (2017), Andre Roberson (2013) and Alec Burks (2011).
Williams is the first "one-and-done" player in CU history. While injuries hampered his only year as a Buff, limiting him to just 24 games, he still displayed enough talent and potential to become a lottery pick. An ankle injury took away some of his explosiveness down the stretch of CU's NCAA Tournament season, but in his 14 games before the injury, he averaged 15.4 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists while shooting 60.6 percent from the field.
Da Silva played four years in Boulder and steadily improved every year. Over the final 14 games last season, he averaged 17.1 points while shooting 51.4 percent from the field and 42.6 percent from long range while also averaging nearly five rebounds per game in that stretch.
Da Silva will be playing for another CU alum, former Buff standout Jamahl Mosley, who is now the head coach at Orlando.
Williams, whose brother Jalen is a budding star with the Oklahoma City Thunder, admitted to some nerves and anxiety heading into draft night. Tabbed as a probable lottery pick nearly all of last year, nothing was certain until he finally heard his name called.
"I think just hearing my name called, all that went away and I felt more relieved than anything," he said. "I think I fit in with thethis group of guys because my versatility, being a two-way player. I feel like I bring in defense right off the bat, which I feel like every team needs, especially with this young core we have. I can not just create for myself but create for others because of the talent we have on this team."
Williams was one of the nation's most highly touted prep players and chose Colorado because of Boyle's reputation for developing players.
"I believed in them and made the right decision," Williams said. "I knew they would get me right, not only to have success in college, but help me pursue my dream of being in the NBA and prepare me to do so."
Da Silva is just the latest example at CU of a player making steady progress and developing into an NBA talent. After appearing in 24 games as a freshman, he stepped into the starting lineup as a sophom*ore and steadily increased his productivity every season. He helped the Buffs to two NCAA Tournament appearances in his four seasons and said his time at Colorado helped him "figure myself out."
"That only comes with experience," he said. "That's something you can't fast forward. Now I feel I'm ready to step up to the next level."
Boyle was in Brooklyn on Wednesday to watch the festivities.
"An unbelievable feeling," he said. "To me, this night is about three things: the player, the families and the program. It's nice to see all three recognized."
Boyle and his staff have developed a strong reputation for player development, as witnessed by the nine players selected in the draft during his tenure in Boulder.
"You want to help kids achieve their dreams," Boyle said. "That's what college basketball is about and you get to feel like you played a small part in helping them get there. Honestly, it's a testament to our coaching staff, the administration, our strength coaches, our trainers — our entire program."
Boyle was also quick to note that along with becoming a first-round pick, da Silva also earned his degree in finance from the CU Leeds School of Business.
"Our approach will continue to be to recruit, develop and help young men get an education," Boyle said. "That's not going to change. The fact that you can come to a wonderful place like Boulder, attend a great university like CU and develop as a basketball player and achieve your dreams is what we've always been about. That's not going to change. Our track record sells itself."
The second round of the draft will be held Thursday beginning at 2 p.m. (MT). Colorado could very well have another player selected as point guard KJ Simpson has been projected as a likely pick.
