As the 2025-26 NBA Season continues, a handful of teams around the NBA have already seen early returns on their 2025 draft picks.<\/p>\n
VJ Edgecombe has been a standout in Philadelphia, while Tre Johnson, Kon Knueppel, Jeremiah Fears and others have also performed well early in their NBA careers.<\/p>\n
Another pair of rookies shined in Sunday’s slate of NBA action, as two lottery picks made an impact for their teams in losing efforts.<\/p>\n
San Antonio dropped its first game of the season at the hands of Phoenix, but Carter Bryant notched the first double-digit scoring performance of his NBA career.<\/p>\n
In 10 minutes off the bench, Bryant logged 10 points, a rebound, 2 steals and 0 turnovers while shooting 4-of-8 from the field as the Spurs fell 130-118. The Suns were led by 28 points and 13 assists from Devin Booker, while rookies Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming and Koby Brea all saw a few minutes on the floor.<\/p>\n
Bryant entered Sunray’s contest with just 5 points all season, and showcased his ability to make an impact on both ends of the floor in his action against Phoenix. On a team that has been one of the best in the NBA to start the 2025-26 campaign, minutes have been hard to come by for Bryant.<\/p>\n
If the 19-year-old is able to turn in a few more performances like Sunday’s, though, he should continue to earn more time on the court as the season progresses.<\/p>\n
Bryant was the No. 14 overall selection in the 2025 NBA Draft after averaging 6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, an assist and a block per game at Arizona. At 6-foot-6 and 220 pounds, the former five-star recruit has enough size and athleticism to be a solid rotation player for San Antonio, but still needs time to refine his skill set.<\/p>\n
In Toronto, Grizzlies’ rookie Cedric Coward notched a solid showing as Memphis fell to the Raptors 117-104 without Ja Morant in the lineup.<\/p>\n
Coward went 5-of-9 from the field, finishing with 12 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and a turnover in more than 29 minutes on the floor. The No. 11 overall pick’s performance continued what has been an impressive start for the 6-foot-5 wing.<\/p>\n
Through 7 games, Coward is averaging 15 points, 4.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 58.7% from the field and 47.8% from 3-point range.<\/p>\n
While the Grizzlies sit at 3-4 on the season, Coward has already proved to be a solid role player early in his career.<\/p>\n
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