Cedric Coward Bio
Cedric De’Von Coward is an American professional basketball player for the Memphis Grizzlies of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) and listed at 206 lb (93 kg), he plays the shooting guard position and wears number 23 for Memphis. Drafted 11th overall in 2025, Coward has emerged as one of the league’s most promising young players and was recognized with a selection to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Before reaching the NBA, Coward built a varied college résumé across three programs, earning conference honors at each stop. His path from Division III to a top-15 draft pick has drawn attention as a rare success story of perseverance and steady improvement.
Early Life and Background
Cedric De’Von Coward was born on September 11, 2003, in Fresno, California. He grew up in Fresno and attended Central High School, where he developed into a Division I prospect. Coward is the grandson of Maxie Parks, a connection that has been noted in coverage of his upbringing and family background.
Raised in Fresno’s competitive basketball scene, Coward sharpened his skills against strong local competition before making the jump to the college ranks. His size and scoring instincts were evident early, setting the foundation for a college career that would span three different programs across multiple divisions.
Path to Basketball
Coward began his college career at Division III Willamette University during the 2021–2022 season. In his lone year with the Willamette Bearcats, he averaged 19.5 points and 12.0 rebounds per game, earning Northwest Conference Freshman of the Year and first-team All-Northwest Conference honors. The dominant freshman campaign quickly outgrew the Division III level and prompted a transfer.
After his freshman season, Coward moved up to Division I, joining the Eastern Washington Eagles. His production grew steadily over two seasons in Cheney, culminating in a junior year that saw him average 15.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, good for first-team All-Big Sky Conference recognition. Following that breakout, he entered the NCAA transfer portal and committed to Washington State, where his scoring continued to climb before a season-ending shoulder injury cut short his first year with the Cougars.
Cedric Coward Career
Early Career (2021–2024)
Coward’s earliest college chapter at Willamette set the tone for his development. His freshman averages of 19.5 points and 12.0 rebounds per game established him as a double-double threat and earned him conference-wide recognition. The transition to Eastern Washington brought stiffer competition, and his scoring dipped to 7.3 points per game as a sophomore while he adjusted to the pace and physicality of Division I basketball.
By his junior season with the Eagles, Coward had refined his game. He posted 15.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per game, earned first-team All-Big Sky honors, and entered the transfer portal as one of the most sought-after players in the country. His commitment to Washington State signaled his arrival as a high-major prospect with NBA upside.
Washington State Breakthrough (2024–2025)
At Washington State, Coward wasted little time proving he belonged. Through six games with the Cougars, he led the team in scoring at 17.7 points per game while averaging seven rebounds per contest. The strong start suggested a breakthrough season, but a shoulder injury ended his campaign prematurely.
Despite the abbreviated year, Coward’s per-game production and physical profile kept him firmly on NBA radars. Following the season, he entered the transfer portal while also declaring for the 2025 NBA draft. He briefly committed to Duke on April 28, 2025, but after the NBA Combine announced on May 24 that he would forgo college and remain in the draft pool. The decision paid off when he heard his name called in the first round.
Memphis Grizzlies Era (2025–Present)
Coward was selected 11th overall by the Portland Trail Blazers in the 2025 NBA draft and was promptly traded to the Memphis Grizzlies as part of a package for Yang Hansen and future draft considerations. He signed his rookie contract with Memphis on July 8, 2025, and stepped into a Grizzlies roster looking for young contributors.
His impact was immediate. On October 25, 2025, Coward scored 27 points and went a perfect 6-for-6 from beyond the arc in a 128–103 win over the Indiana Pacers, becoming the first rookie in franchise history to hit at least six three-pointers in a game without a miss. He finished fifth in Rookie of the Year voting and earned NBA All-Rookie First Team honors, cementing his status as a building block for Memphis.
Driving Style and Strengths
Coward combines the size of a wing with the shot-making instincts of a modern shooting guard. His three-point shooting, rebounding for his position, and scoring versatility allow him to fit comfortably alongside bigger lineups. Defensively, his length and mobility give him the tools to guard multiple positions, while his willingness to attack the glass has translated from college to the NBA level.
Notable Events and Milestones
The October 25, 2025, performance against Indiana stands as his signature night so far, pairing a career-high 27 points with a historic shooting line. Earlier milestones include Northwest Conference Freshman of the Year honors at Willamette and first-team All-Big Sky recognition at Eastern Washington. His All-Rookie First Team selection closed a whirlwind first professional season.
Cedric Coward Career Wins
Coward’s résumé is built on consistent production and rapid progression through three college programs and into the NBA. While individual game-win totals vary across levels, his awards at every stop reflect his scoring and rebounding impact.
College Highlights
At Willamette, Coward captured Northwest Conference Freshman of the Year and first-team All-Northwest honors in 2022. He then developed at Eastern Washington, where his junior-year averages of 15.4 points and 6.7 rebounds per game earned him first-team All-Big Sky recognition in 2024. Across his college stops, he established himself as a reliable double-digit scorer and strong rebounder from the wing.
NBA Highlights
In his rookie season with the Memphis Grizzlies, Coward posted his first signature NBA performance against the Pacers and finished fifth in Rookie of the Year voting. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, becoming one of the league’s most notable first-year players in 2025–2026.
Cedric Coward Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Coward is the grandson of Maxie Parks, a family connection that has been referenced in profiles of his upbringing in Fresno. Beyond that lineage, details about his broader family remain limited in publicly available sources.
Personal Life
Coward’s personal life has largely stayed out of the public spotlight as he focuses on his transition to the NBA. He continues to be associated with Fresno, California, where he grew up and developed as a player before embarking on his professional career with the Memphis Grizzlies.
2025 Season Performance
Coward’s 2025 story arc traced one of the most eventful seasons of any NBA rookie. He finished his college career at Washington State, declared for the draft, briefly committed to Duke, then pivoted to stay in the draft after strong showings at the NBA Combine. Being selected 11th overall and quickly traded to Memphis thrust him into an opportunity for meaningful minutes from day one.
Once the regular season began, Coward delivered on the promise that pushed him up draft boards. His October 25 explosion against Indiana, a 27-point, 6-for-6 three-point performance, set the tone for a year in which he consistently stretched defenses and attacked the glass. By season’s end, his production placed him fifth in Rookie of the Year voting, a finish validated by his selection to the NBA All-Rookie First Team.
Looking ahead, Coward enters his second professional offseason as a core young piece for a Grizzlies team building around length and shooting. With his rookie deal signed and his first NBA campaign in the books, the next phase centers on expanding his defensive responsibilities and continuing to refine his perimeter shot-making as he prepares for the 2025–2026 season and beyond.
