Memphis Grizzlies first-round draft pick Cedric Coward was already considered one of the most intriguing prospects in the 2025 NBA Draft before he was selected 11th overall. Coward’s performance in his NBA debut on Wednesday made it clear he could be a problem in the league for years to come.<\/p>\n
Coward scored 14 points and was a team-high +24 off the bench, shooting a perfect 5-of-5 from the field and 4-of-4 from the free throw line. In addition to his flawless shooting night, Coward also grabbed two rebounds and snatched two steals on the defensive end of the floor in Memphis’ 128-122 win over the New Orleans Pelicans<\/a>.<\/p>\n CEDRIC COWARD IN THE GRIZZLIES OPENING NIGHT WIN :<\/p>\n – 14 Points THE ROOKIE CAME UP HUGE IN HIS FIRST CAREER GAME. \ud83d\udcaf pic.twitter.com\/JF3BQ4kBjx<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Grizz Lead (@Grizz_Lead) October 23, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Following Coward’s dominant debut, Grizzlies coach Tuomas Iisalo delivered some meaningful praise for his rookie after a debut that exceeded the already lofty expectations following Coward into the NBA. However, it wasn’t Coward’s offense that his coach was most impressed with.<\/p>\n Tuomas Iisalo on Cedric Coward’s NBA debut: “Tremendous performance.”<\/p>\n 5-of-5, 14 points and a game-high +24. Iisalo also praised his defensive versatility, guarding Jordan Poole and contesting shots from Zion Williamson.<\/p>\n \u2014 Jonah Dylan (@TheJonahDylan) October 23, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cTremendous performance by Cedric,\u201d Iisalo said. \u201cI checked the plus-minus after a game, and +24 sounds about right. He had really high-level possessions against (Jordan) Poole after he got going early on, made another unreal vertical contest against an opposing big. In the last game, it was Kal\u2019el Ware, today was Zion Williamson.\u00a0<\/p>\n Memphis lost a big piece in Desmond Bane this offseason, and Coward is already showing signs he could grow into a star for this team sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n \u201cThese are not average athletes that he’s making plays against at the rim as a 2\/3, and that’s a quality that’s really rare. Then, his ability to get on a break, get behind guys, and finish with physicality, just his space. He\u2019s really growing,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n The 22-year-old Fresno, Calif. native was originally slated to transfer to Duke after an impressive but brief six-game stint with Washington State in 2024-25, where Coward averaged 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in six appearances for the Cougars. <\/p>\n Before transferring to Washington State, Coward was a two-year standout at Eastern Washington and earned Big Sky Conference Player of the Year honors as a junior after transferring from Division III Willamette after his freshman season. <\/p>\n I think I love Cedric Coward pic.twitter.com\/IPlWrAurU5<\/a><\/p>\n
– 5\/5 FG | 4\/4 FT
– 3 Rebounds
– 2 Steals
– +24 +\/-
– 22 Minutes<\/p>\n