Cedric Coward: NBA Draft| College stats| Contract| Injury| Wingspan

Introduction

From Division III beginnings to a first-round NBA draft prospect, Cedric Coward’s rise is the kind of basketball story that captivates. This article explores his journey: his draft standing, college stats, contract outlook, injury history, and standout physical traits—especially his wingspan—all aimed at providing a comprehensive look at the rising wing.

Early Life & Background

Born on September 11, 2003, in Fresno, California, Coward attended Central High School in Fresno. Despite an unremarkable high-school recruitment profile, he persisted and began his college career at Division III Willamette University. At Willamette, he averaged 19.5 points and 12.0 rebounds per game, earning Northwest Conference Freshman of the Year honors.

From there, Coward transferred to Eastern Washington University (D1) and eventually to Washington State University for the 2024-25 season. His path is atypical for a future NBA draft pick — a testament to his development and resilience.

Draft Status & Projections

Heading into the 2025 NBA Draft, Coward emerged as one of the most intriguing prospects in the wing category. He’s been repeatedly described as a “3-and-D” prospect with the physical tools and skill set to contribute early.

According to various mock drafts and scouting reports:

• Some projections had him going middle first-round.

• His name also started to surface in lottery talk given his physical profile and shooting ability.

• One report noted: “Even in the small sample size … Coward looks and plays like a prototypical 3-and-D wing in the modern NBA.”

All of this paints the picture of a candidate for early draft consideration — a player teams believe could both defend and knock down threes.

College Statistics

Here’s a breakdown of Coward’s college performance, including the Division III season and his D1 years:

Willamette (Division III)

• 2021-22: ~19.5 points, 12.0 rebounds per game.

• He was named Northwest Conference Freshman of the Year.

Eastern Washington (Division I)

• 2022-23: Averaged 7.3 points, 5.6 rebounds in ~21.6 minutes per game.

• 2023-24: Improved to ~15.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, with strong shooting percentages. Earned First-Team All-Big Sky.

Washington State (Partial Season)

• 2024-25 (6 games): Averaged 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists per game, shooting ~40% from three.

• Note: Small sample size due to injury.

Career D1 Totals (approximate)

• Games: 72 (40 starts)

• Minutes: ~26.5 mpg

• Field goal %: ~59.5%, 3-point % ~38.8%, FT approx ~83.2%

• Rebounds: ~6.2, Assists ~1.9, Points ~11.8 per game.

Key take-aways from the stats:

• He improved significantly from his first D1 season to his second.

• The three-point percentage (~38-40%) is notable for a wing of his profile.

• The 6-game dataset at Washington State shows higher usage and production, but must be viewed with caution given the small sample and injury issue.

Contract Outlook

As of now (mid-2025), Coward is expected to sign a rookie contract once selected in the NBA Draft. Because he is entering via the 2025 Draft, his contract will likely adhere to the rookie scale for first-round picks in the NBA. Teams typically ink multi-year guaranteed deals with team options after year 3 or 4.

While the exact contract terms will depend on his draft slot, some considerations:

• If drafted in the lottery or early first round, his guaranteed money will be higher.

• Given the injury risk and limited upper-division track record, some teams might negotiate more protections or less guaranteed money (though speculation only).

• His value lies in being a lengthy, two-way wing who can shoot and defend — attributes that increase his upside for teams when shaping their rookie contract.

Since precise contract details are not publicly confirmed yet, we cannot provide exact figures — but he is on track to secure the type of deal that first-round picks in the modern NBA receive.

Injury History

Injuries are an important piece of Coward’s profile, especially from a roster-building/contracting perspective.

• At Washington State, his season was cut short after only six games by a shoulder injury (torn labrum).

• Because of that, his most recent full-season data is limited. Teams will evaluate his health, recovery timeline, and durability.

• Despite the injury, scouts and front offices remain confident enough in his upside to project him as an NBA contributor, indicating the surgery/recovery is viewed favourably.

What to watch: How quickly he returns to full strength, whether his shoulder remains durable under NBA load, and how his athleticism/defensive tools hold up.

Wingspan & Physical Tools

One of Coward’s most compelling traits is his physical profile — especially his wingspan and reach.

• He measured 6′ 5.25″ (barefoot) and weighed ~213 lbs.

• His wingspan measured 7′ 2.25″ (≈ 7′ 2″) at the 2025 NBA Draft Combine.

• Standing reach: ~8′ 10″.

• Vertical leap: No-step ~32.5″, max ~38.5″.

These numbers are quite rare for a wing guard/forward and give Coward a significant physical advantage in multiple facets:

• Defensive versatility: Able to guard multiple positions and disrupt passing lanes due to long reach. As one draft-profile noted: opposing players shot just 31.8 percent on jumpers when guarded by Coward.

• Rebounding/defensive presence: His length helps him rebound and block shots for his size.

• Offensive tools: Combined with a smooth shooting stroke, Coward’s size allows him to finish over smaller defenders and shoot from the perimeter.

In short: Coward’s combination of size, length, and shooting ability is a premium in today’s NBA.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

• Excellent physical tools: length, size, reach.

• Shooting: Demonstrated ability to knock down threes (~38-40%) and strong fundamentals.

• Two-way potential: Can defend multiple positions, uses his body well, and has decent instincts.

• Growth curve: His journey shows improvement year-to-year and an ability to adapt to higher competition.

Weaknesses / — Areas of Concern

• Sample size: Especially the last season is limited (only six games due to injury) so some projection risk exists.

• Playmaking & ball-handling: Some scouting reports indicate he hasn’t consistently shown elite creation — he’s primarily a scorer, not a primary facilitator.

• Level of competition: Part of his stats came from low-mid major conferences; how he translates to the NBA remains to be seen.

• Health: The shoulder injury and need for durability over an 82-game season are valid concerns.

Fit & Team Context

Which NBA teams might be best suited for Coward, and what role might he fill?

• Coward fits as a “3-and-D” wing — someone who can defend, knock down threes, and play off the ball.

• Teams that prioritize length, switching defense, and wings who can space the floor should view him as a valuable piece. For example, one article flagged the Minnesota Timberwolves as a match given their wing-defensive identity.

• Given his shooting and size, he could slot into lineups where he doesn’t need to create from scratch but instead complements other creators.

• Because of his developmental curve, it may make sense for him to start as a rotation piece rather than full starter day 1 — giving time to refine his handle, decision-making, and adapt to NBA speed.

Projection & Outlook

As we look ahead to his professional career, here’s how I project Coward’s trajectory:

Short-term (Rookie years):

• Expect Coward to earn meaningful minutes off the bench, especially in defensive-wing or “3” (small forward) roles.

• Early contributions will likely come via defense, rebounding, perimeter shooting — not necessarily high usage creation.

• Health and conditioning will be key: if he proves durable, his upside rises; if not, his role may be constrained.

Mid/Long-term (3-5 years):

• If he develops his playmaking and becomes more consistent as a shooter, Coward could evolve into a starter in the modern NBA: a 6′5″-6′7″ wing with 7′2″ wingspan, strong defense, and spacing ability.

• He has “floor + ceiling” skewed toward a high floor (because of his physical traits and shooting) with a meaningful ceiling if his game expands.

• The key question: Does he add more creation and become a full two-way, multi-positional wing? Or does he stay in the complementary role? Teams will decide accordingly.

Why Coward Matters

In an era where wings who can defend, switch, shoot, and stretch the floor are in high demand, Coward’s profile stands out. He checks many of the boxes: size, length, defensive potential, shooting. And his unconventional path—from DIII to potential NBA lottery—adds to his narrative value.

For teams and front offices, his story matters because it speaks to the value of identifying and developing talent that may be overlooked. For fans, his journey resonates: perseverance, growth, and seizing opportunity.

Summary

Cedric Coward is one of the more fascinating 2025 NBA-Draft prospects. While questions remain — especially around his injury, sample size, and playmaking — his physical traits and shooting upside make him a compelling candidate for the first round. His wingspan (7′2″+), athleticism and two-way tools give him a foundation that many wings only dream of.

If he remains healthy and embraces a complementary role early, Coward could carve out a long and productive NBA career — and perhaps eventually blossom into a full-time starter. For now, his draft status, contract outlook, and projection make him a player to watch.