Overview
Cedric Coward is a native of Fresno, California who started his collegiate career in Division III at Willamette University in 2021-22. As a redshirt freshman, he won the Northwest Conference Freshman of the Year and was named to their All-First Team after averaging 19.5 ppg, 12.0 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.5 spg and 2.8 bpg. Coward then transferred to Eastern Washington where he spent the next two years and was awarded with NABC All-District (6) First Team and All-Big Sky First Team honors in 2023-24 as a sophomore. This past year, he transferred to Washington State for his redshirt junior season, but a shoulder injury cost him all but six games. The 6-foot-6, 206-pound wing led the Cougars in points (17.7), rebounds (7.0), blocks (1.7), made 3s (2.0) and PER (24.8) on shooting splits of 55.7 / 40.0 / 83.9.
Analysis
Coward’s gameplay stands out for a number of reasons, chief among them being his reliable 3-point shooting stroke (career 38.8 3P%), motor and rebounding. His catch and shoot numbers are impressive (60.0 eFG%), but he also looks comfortable off the dribble, whether it’s in the midrange or post area. He has the size and strength to guard up or down, moves his feet well, and displays solid instincts and timing when contesting shots or on closeouts. After showing signs of growth throughout his four years in college, the 21-year-old can do a little bit of everything at a premium position at the next level.
Quotable
“He just didn’t know what he didn’t know when he first got here [to NCAA Division I at Eastern Washington]. Once you put him in an environment, he’s such a high-character kid and overachiever that he’s going to do a little bit more than everyone else, and that’s kind of the way it progressed.” — Washington State coach David Riley, who coached Coward first at Eastern Washington and then at WSU, to Mid-Major Madness
Some stats & tidbits
As a freshman at Willamette University in 2021-22, Coward ranked second in NCAA Division III with 19 double-doubles … His grandfather, Maxie Park,s won an Olympic gold medal in the 4×400 relay at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal … Hobbies include painting custom sneakers and baking cookies
Projection
Even in the small sample size from 2024-25, Coward looks and plays like a prototypical 3-and-D wing in the modern NBA. He has the size, athleticism, length and a proven ability to knock down shots from behind the arc, something that has become pivotal in today’s game. Any team could use his jolt of shooting and the willingness to do whatever it takes to help his squad win. Coward’s versatile game resembles something of a connector role, similar to guys like Derrick White, Aaron Wiggins, Max Strus and Aaron Nesmith.