Do not look now, however it seems that the Memphis Grizzlies could have a significant draft steal on their arms. The Grizzlies chosen Cedric Coward eleventh total within the 2025 NBA Draft, and there have been some who questioned whether or not they have been proper utilizing a lottery decide on him.
Previous to the NBA Draft, he seemed to be one of many extra NBA-ready prospects. That also seems to be the case now, with him already having a formidable exhibiting within the NBA.
Regardless of enjoying three seasons in school, he solely performed 5 video games for Duke final season. Even so, these 5 video games launched him to a bigger viewers and helped him be seen as a lottery prospect.
Mix that with the actual fact he averaged a stable 17.7 factors and seven rebounds and shot 40% from deep on 5 threes per sport, and he appeared like a worthwhile gamble. In any case, Coward has a dependable shot, can create for himself off-the-dribble, and might guard on the perimeter together with his spectacular bodily profile at 6’6″, with a 7’2 1/2″ wingspan and a 38.5″ vertical leap.
Coward rapidly quieted doubters in simply his three regular-season sport with a formidable 27 factors, together with drilling six threes.
So far, by way of 4 video games, he is averaging 16.5 factors and taking pictures 64.3% from three in simply 23.5 minutes per sport. That ought to come as a giant reduction to Grizzlies followers who have been seemingly cautiously optimistic that he might make a right away impression.
Cedric Coward simply proved he may very well be the Grizzlies’ third choice
Coward’s coming-out occasion highlights the Grizzlies’ offseason strikes, which noticed them commerce Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic. That transfer netted them 4 first-round picks and gave them large monetary flexibility to construct round Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
If Coward might be the Grizzlies’ newest success story, then he might rapidly become their quantity three choice. That might give them a far cheaper and extra full model of Bane. Whereas Bane ranks as among the finest high-volume shooters within the NBA, he did not present a lot else, whereas Coward has a much more well-rounded ability set.
Higher nonetheless, lottery picks with related bodily profiles to Coward have usually panned out in large methods, with Kawhi Leonard and Scottie Barnes each being examples. That isn’t to say that he will probably be a surefire future all-star, however he has the ability, peak, size, and measurement to doubtlessly become one within the close to future.
All in all, Coward’s explosive efficiency proves that his restricted however stellar school season was removed from a fluke. If he can dwell as much as his huge potential on each ends of the ground, he might rapidly emerge as a 3rd choice for the Grizzlies and permit them to retool round Marant and Jackson Jr. briefly order.
