Cedric Coward Bio
Cedric De’Von Coward is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Born on September 11, 2003, in Fresno, California, Coward played college basketball for the Willamette Bearcats, Eastern Washington Eagles, and Washington State Cougars before turning pro. Coward was drafted 11th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2025 NBA draft before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies, where he has quickly made a mark in the league. Standing 196 cm (about 6 feet 5 inches) tall and weighing around 93 kg (roughly 205 pounds), he is listed as a guard-forward and is considered one of the most promising rookies of his draft class.
Early Life and Background
Cedric De’Von Coward was born on September 11, 2003, in Fresno, California, where he grew up and developed his love for basketball. He attended Central High School in Fresno, where he first showcased the scoring and rebounding instincts that would later define his college career. Coming from Fresno, a city with a deep tradition of producing competitive athletes, Coward grew up surrounded by a basketball culture that helped shape his early work ethic.
During his time at Central High School, Coward built the foundation for his future success, working on his perimeter shooting, ball-handling, and physical conditioning. His high school development gave him the tools to take the next step into college basketball at the Division III level. The combination of size, athleticism, and court awareness that he showed in Fresno helped him stand out as a recruit.
Path to Basketball
After completing his high school career at Central in Fresno, Coward began his college journey at Willamette University, a Division III program. In his only season with the Willamette Bearcats, he averaged 19.5 points and 12.0 rebounds per game, dominating the Northwest Conference. His performance earned him the Northwest Conference Freshman of the Year award and a first-team All-Northwest Conference selection, marking him as a rising talent worth tracking.
Following his standout freshman year, Coward transferred to Eastern Washington University to test himself at the Division I level. In his first season with the Eastern Washington Eagles, he adjusted to the higher competition by averaging 7.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. As a junior, he took a major leap, earning first-team All-Big Sky Conference honors after posting 15.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, before entering the NCAA transfer portal.
Cedric Coward Career
Early Career (2022-2024)
Coward’s early college years served as a launchpad for his professional trajectory. His freshman year at Willamette University in 2022 produced a Northwest Conference Freshman of the Year award, a first-team All-Northwest Conference nod, and averages of 19.5 points and 12.0 rebounds per game. Those numbers drew the attention of bigger programs, and his move to Eastern Washington gave him the Division I stage he was looking for.
At Eastern Washington, Coward gradually grew into a featured role. After a steady first season with 7.3 points and 5.6 rebounds per game, he broke out as a junior with 15.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, securing first-team All-Big Sky Conference recognition. That junior campaign established him as one of the top mid-major prospects in the country heading into the next phase of his career.
Washington State Cougars (2024-2025)
After entering the transfer portal, Coward committed to Washington State University to compete in a Power conference environment. In his first six games with the Cougars, he led the team in scoring at 17.7 points per game while also averaging seven rebounds per game. Unfortunately, a season-ending shoulder injury cut his senior campaign short and raised questions about his draft outlook.
Despite the injury, Coward chose to enter the transfer portal again while declaring for the 2025 NBA draft. On April 28, 2025, he committed to Duke, but kept his name in the draft pool. After the NBA Combine, Coward announced on May 24 that he would forgo playing at Duke and remain in the draft, fully committing to his professional future.
Memphis Grizzlies Era (2025-Present)
Coward was selected 11th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2025 NBA draft and was subsequently traded to the Memphis Grizzlies for Yang Hansen and future draft considerations. He signed his rookie contract with the Grizzlies on July 8, officially beginning his NBA career. The trade gave Coward an opportunity to step into a young Grizzlies rotation that was looking for fresh scoring and versatility.
On October 25, 2025, Coward produced one of the most memorable early performances in Grizzlies franchise history, scoring 27 points on 6-for-6 shooting from three-point range in a 128-103 win over the Indiana Pacers. In that game, he became the first rookie in Grizzlies history to record at least six made three-pointers in a game without a miss, signaling his shooting potential at the NBA level.
Driving Style and Strengths
On the court, Coward is known for his smooth perimeter shooting, advanced rebounding for his position, and ability to score at multiple levels. His size allows him to play as a guard-forward hybrid, giving coaches lineup flexibility. He combines a high release point on his jumper with the footwork needed to create space against bigger defenders, making him a difficult matchup for opposing wings.
Notable Events and Milestones
Coward’s 27-point, 6-for-6 performance from beyond the arc against the Indiana Pacers on October 25, 2025, stands as his signature early NBA moment. Being selected 11th overall in the 2025 NBA draft and his Northwest Conference Freshman of the Year award both represent major milestones in a rapid rise from Division III to the NBA.
Cedric Coward Career Wins
While Coward is early in his NBA career, he has already produced a memorable win as a professional. His 27-point outing led the Memphis Grizzlies to a 128-103 victory over the Indiana Pacers in October 2025. His college career also featured multiple individual awards, even though team championships at the highest level are still ahead of him.
College and NBA Highlights
At Willamette, Coward earned Northwest Conference Freshman of the Year and first-team All-Northwest Conference honors in 2022, a remarkable debut. At Eastern Washington, he was named first-team All-Big Sky Conference in 2024 after a strong junior season. In the NBA, his first signature game came on October 25, 2025, when he set a Grizzlies rookie record for made threes without a miss in a win over Indiana.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his most talked-about games, Coward has consistently shown the ability to perform in high-pressure moments, whether at the Division III, Division I, or NBA level. His scoring outbursts at Willamette, his all-conference play at Eastern Washington, and his fast start in Memphis all suggest more big performances are on the horizon.
Cedric Coward Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Coward was raised in Fresno, California, a city known for producing competitive basketball players. He attended Central High School in Fresno, where he developed the foundation for his future success. Public details about his parents and extended family are limited, but his Fresno roots remain a key part of his personal story.
Personal Life
Coward is focused on his young NBA career with the Memphis Grizzlies and continues to adjust to life as a professional athlete. Public information about his marital status, spouse, or children is not widely reported. His social media presence and interviews reflect a young player dedicated to his craft and eager to grow within the Grizzlies organization.
2025 Season Performance
Coward’s 2025 storyline began at the NBA Draft, where he was selected 11th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers before being traded to the Memphis Grizzlies. He officially signed with Memphis on July 8, beginning his rookie season with a team in transition. The Grizzlies viewed him as a long-term piece who could contribute on the wing right away.
His most defining 2025 moment came on October 25, when he erupted for 27 points on 6-for-6 three-point shooting in a 128-103 win over the Indiana Pacers, becoming the first Grizzlies rookie ever to make at least six threes in a game without a miss. That performance placed him firmly in the early rookie-of-the-year conversation and showed the Grizzlies what their new wing is capable of when given minutes.
Looking ahead, Coward is expected to continue developing as a key rotation piece for the Grizzlies, with a focus on consistent shooting, defense, and rebounding. His combination of size, skill, and poise suggests he has the tools to grow into a long-term NBA starter. The rest of the 2025 season will be crucial for building momentum and establishing his role in Memphis.