Craig Smith had multiple opportunities last season to conduct a scouting report on Cody Williams, the Utah Jazz’s first selection in Wednesday night’s opening round of the 2024 NBA Draft.

That’s because Williams’ Colorado Buffaloes faced Smith and the Utah Runnin’ Utes three times during his lone collegiate season, with Williams playing in two of the contests.

Williams and the Buffaloes got the best of Smith and the Utes the two times the 6-foot-7 wing played against them. They beat them by 24 in late February, then blew them out again during the Pac-12 tournament quarterfinals.

Williams missed the teams’ first meeting last season, when Utah edged the Buffaloes in Salt Lake City. Still, getting familiar with Colorado gave Smith several chances to check out film on the future Jazzman.

Before the teams played in February, Smith talked about what Williams brings to the floor.

“He can get it going in any number of ways. At his size and his length, when he gets around the rim, he’s able to finish at all kinds of angles, over shot blockers,” Smith said at the time.

Williams averaged 11.9 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game last season for Colorado, a squad that included fellow first-round draft pick Tristan da Silva (he went 18th overall to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night) and guard KJ Simpson, who’s projected to be a second-round selection on Thursday.

Williams also shot 55.2% from the field during the 2023-24 season and 41.5% from 3-point range in limited attempts.

The talented wing never made much of an impact against the Utes. in Colorado’s two wins over Utah, he averaged 5.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game.

Smith was also impressed with what Williams does defensively.

“He’s a good defender because he’s so long,” Smith said. “You can get deep and you might have a half a step advantage, but with his length, he can catch up and make those plays.”

SALT LAKE CITY — Fans of the Utah Jazz waited with bated breath at the 2024 NBA Draft watch party, hosted by the team Wednesday night at the Delta Center.

Entry was free to the public, with the broadcast of the draft on the jumbotron. While some sat in the stands to watch picks 1-9, others occupied their time playing games like cornhole, taking photos in front of the Jazz’s “Mountain Basketball” logo, shopping for team merch and hitting the concession stands.

Fans in attendance said they’re optimistic, with most saying they hope the Jazz front office selects someone to help complement Lauri Markkanen.

Utah ended up picking Cody Williams, a freshman forward from the University of Colorado, as their first draftee of the night (10th pick overall). The team also has the 29th pick.

ST. GEORGE, Utah — The woman charged with murdering her parents in a Washington City home made her first appearance in front of a judge Wednesday, where she was appointed a lawyer.

Mia Bailey, 28, was charged with 11 felonies, including two counts of aggravated murder, after she allegedly killed her parents inside their home on June 18.

According to police, Bailey shot and killed Joseph and Gail Bailey, then fled from the area, prompting an hours-long search that ended when she was taken into custody in St. George.

During her initial appearance, Bailey appeared virtually from the jail, where she is being held without bail.

Judge Keith C. Barnes of the Fifth District Court read Bailey the charges against her before asking if she needed a court-appointed lawyer.

“Are you requesting a court-appointed attorney,” Judge Barnes asked.

“Yes, I’m requesting a court attorney,” Bailey responded.

“Do you currently have any money in a checking or savings account,” Judge Barnes replied.

“Not enough to cover a lawyer,” Bailey said.

After discussing some of Bailey’s assets, which included electronics, jewelry and her car that was seized by police as part of the investigation, Judge Barnes appointed Ryan Stout to represent her.

Stout appeared briefly in the hearing, telling Bailey he would meet with her soon.

“I would strongly advise her not to talk to anybody about the case and not to make any comments further today unless asked by the judge directly,” he said to Bailey during the hearing.

The prosecution acknowledged they had nothing further to add to the proceedings and the next court date was set for July 10.