At this time last year, Cedric Coward at the beginning of recovering from season-ending shoulder surgery to repair a torn labrum. The unfortunate injury cut his season short after a fast start to his Washington State career, averaging 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 blocks per game on 55.7\/40.0\/83.9 percent shooting splits.<\/p>\n
Now, he’s thriving in his role with Memphis three months<\/a> after being cleared.<\/p>\n While Coward maintained belief that he would be an NBA player, he didn’t believe it would be this soon, he admitted to Grind City Media’s Michael Wallace after shootaround Wednesday<\/p>\n \u201cI did, but to be truthful, I can\u2019t tell you a year later it would\u2019ve happened,\u201d Coward said<\/a> before Wednesday’s showdown against the Minnesota Timberwolves. \u201cBut I did see it happening. I\u2019m blessed. I\u2019m very grateful for the position I\u2019m in, for the team I\u2019m apart of and for everybody around me. Going through what I went through a year ago to now, being able to play basketball feels great.<\/p>\n \u201cReaching the end goal, it felt so far away. It was, actually, closer than I thought it was. For that, it just kept me driving every day.\u00a0<\/p>\n This week a year ago, Cedric endured the most difficult challenge of his young career after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery at WSU.<\/p>\n Now, the @memgrizz<\/a> rookie is an @NBA<\/a> starter facing All-NBA caliber players each defensive assignment.<\/p>\n Our Grizz Shootaround Sitdown: https:\/\/t.co\/X94qiQTNFH<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Michael Wallace (@MyMikeCheck) December 17, 2025<\/a>Cedric Coward has become one of league’s most valuable rookies<\/p>\n The Memphis Grizzlies have battled multiple prolonged absences to star guard Ja Morant and second-year big Zach Edey, who’s been the Grizzlies’ most impactful defender — not Jaren Jackson Jr. — this year.<\/p>\n Coward’s stepped into an enlarged role and thrived. Through 27 games, he’s averaging 13.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists. <\/p>\n After a blazing start to the season, his shooting has regressed back down to earth. Though the 6-foot-5 wing is finishing well around him, where he’s shooting 67.9 percent, as well as using his absurd 7-foot-2 wingspan on the glass. <\/p>\n His impact off the bench has directly correlated with the Grizzlies’ recent success. They are winners of nine of their last 12 games, buoying them to 13-14 after a dreadful 4-11 start. More importantly, among all rookie, the Grizzlies’ No. 11 overall draft choice is fourth in scoring, second in rebounding — six behind New Orleans’ Derik Queen — and seventh in assists.<\/p>\n Memphis looks to remain hot against the Washington Wizards Saturday at 8:00 p.m. EST.<\/p>\n More Memphis Grizzlies Stories:<\/p>\n Why Cedric Coward’s impact warrants All-Rookie first team consideration<\/a><\/p>\n Playing status of Edwards, Morant comes to light ahead of Timberwolves-Grizzlies<\/a><\/p>\n The need for the Grizzlies to contain Julius Randle on Wednesday night<\/a><\/p>\n