IT WASN'T A question of if Washington State forward Cedric Coward would hear his name called in Brooklyn on Wednesday night, it was more a matter of when. That news just came in, with Coward realizing a lifelong dream. Moments ago, NBA commissioner Adam Silver took the stage at the Barclays Center and announced that with the No. 11 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, Coward had been selected by the Portland Trail Blazers. But...
Coward is actually on his way to Memphis, as the Grizzlies gave up the No. 16 pick, a future first-round pick in 2028 and a pair of second-rounders to land him via a blockbuster trade. With Coward off to Memphis, he becomes the first Wazzu hooper to get taken in the first round of the draft since Klay Thompson in 2011. Thompson, selected by the Golden State Warriors, won four NBA Finals titles playing under Steve Kerr.
Coward is the third Coug to be selected in the first round, joining Thompson and WSU Hall of Famer Don Collins, who came off the board at No. 18 to the Atlanta Hawks back in 1980. That's some pretty exclusive company for Coward. And it's safe to say the wait was worth it for him and Wazzu fans out there.
"His potential is tantalizing," ESPN's Jay Bilas said moments after Coward was drafted. "He's got great instincts, big hands and he's a good passer with good vision. He can improve his handle, but he shot it really well at the Combine - he shot the ball well off the dribble. His ability to shoot it from the perimeter and defend multiple positions is why he's going No. 11 in this draft."
This is a surreal moment for Coward and also one being celebrated by WSU head hoops man David Riley and his staff (see related story below).
Related: WSU coach David Riley says Cedric Coward is a first-rounder because of his approach
THINGS DIDN'T GO to plan for Coward while at Washington State, as a season-ending shoulder injury limited him to only six games played under Riley in Pullman. Before his injury, he was on a tear, averaging 17.7 points and seven rebounds per game.
Out of Fresno, Coward started his career at D-III Willamette before making the move to Eastern Washington. He was a burgeoning star for Riley in Cheney and the two came as a package deal to WSU.
Following his injury-shortened season, Coward announced his transfer to Duke pending whether he would pull his name out of the draft. A banner NBA Combine settled the deal, with Coward the talk of the combine both in the media and per media reports, around the NBA.
"A couple guys asked me what made Cedric special: he's got a long wingspan and can do a bunch of things, but it was his approach," Riley told CF.C earlier this week. "He approached week three the same way he approached day one, the same way he approached month five. I think his motor and his steady approach to the game and the process is what makes him special, and then obviously, he's got some God-given talent too."
With Coward now in The League, it marks the third year in a row where a Coug has been taken in the draft. A year ago, sharpshooter Jaylen Wells was selected in the second round by the Grizzlies, while Mouhamed Gueye went in the second round to Charlotte in 2023 (he was then traded to Boston, which in turn sent him to Atlanta to begin his NBA career).
Add in Isaac Jones, who soared his rookie season in going from the G League to the Sacramento Kings' roster, plus Thompson, and it gives WSU five Cougs in the NBA. Come the 2025-26 season, if the status quo holds with five Cougs on NBA rosters, it would be the most in WSU history.
Related: WSU's Isaac Jones recaps first NBA season surge in exclusive sit down, and June 29 looms large
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