From Division III roots to early NBA standout, Memphis may have found its next franchise cornerstone.
The NBA season is barely a week old, but Cedric Coward is already making the Memphis Grizzlies look like geniuses.
The rookie forward, drafted 11th overall in June, is averaging 16.0 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game while shooting a scorching 65.1% from the field—fifth-best in the entire league. Not just among rookies. Among everyone.
It’s an incredible start for a 22-year-old who began his college career at Division III Willamette University and played only six games at Washington State before declaring for the draft.
From Unknown to Unmissable
Coward’s journey reads like fiction: 19.5 points and 12 rebounds per game at D-III Willamette, a transfer to Eastern Washington, and eventually Washington State, where a shoulder injury limited him to just six appearances. Still, he averaged 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and shot 40% from deep in that short stretch.
That was enough. The Grizzlies traded multiple picks to Portland to move up and grab Coward at No. 11—a move that raised eyebrows on draft night but looks better with every minute he’s on the floor.
At the draft combine, Coward’s 7-foot-2 wingspan and fluid mechanics stood out. In games, his shooting touch and poise are doing the same.
Early Impact
Coward didn’t ease into the league—he broke through the door. In his second NBA game, he dropped 27 points in 24 minutes in a win over the Pacers, hitting all six of his threes and looking like a seasoned vet.
“He’s got it,” said Ja Morant afterward. “That’s what I seen in camp. I was just waiting for it.”
It wasn’t a one-off. Coward has scored in double figures in each of his games so far, doing it efficiently and within the flow of the offense. He’s not forcing shots. He’s not hunting highlights. He’s just producing.
The Tools Are Real
At 6-foot-5, 206 pounds with elite length, Coward checks all the physical boxes for a modern NBA wing. But it’s the decision-making, patience, and awareness that have scouts and analysts taking a second look.
His shot selection is disciplined. His mechanics are polished. He moves well off the ball and understands spacing like a veteran. He’s also holding his own on defense, using his reach to disrupt passing lanes and contest shots.
Yes, it’s early. Defenses will adjust. There will be slumps. But nothing about Coward’s game looks like a fluke.
Bigger Than Expected
Memphis entered the season as a team trying to thread the needle between developing talent and contending in the West. Coward might accelerate that timeline.
He’s not just fitting in—he’s standing out. And if his growth continues at this pace, the Grizzlies may have added a cornerstone, not just a contributor.
The Bottom Line
A week into his NBA career, Cedric Coward has already made a loud, efficient statement. From Division III to top-15 pick to one of the most effective rookies in the league—his rise isn’t slowing down.
This isn’t just a feel-good story. This is a player with real potential, delivering real results, right now.
