Truthfully, the essential focus of the Rookie of the Year race was whether or not or not Cooper Flagg or Kon Knueppel would win the award. Cooper Flagg ended up profitable the award, however the story for the Grizzlies is Cedric Coward getting a third-place vote. Cedric Coward secured a high 5 end in the Rookie of the Year race and further proved that the Grizzlies nailed the pick.
Last summer time, the Grizzlies traded as much as the eleventh general pick and chosen Cedric Coward following a formidable draft mix. Even although there have been considerations about how a lot the Grizzlies gave as much as choose him, Coward had a sensational rookie season and is a powerful constructing block for the Grizzlies going ahead.
Cedric Coward exceeded expectations as a rookie
In 62 video games, Cedric Coward averaged 13.6 factors, 5.9 rebounds, and a pair of.8 assists. Coward didn’t seem in Summer League since he had not absolutely recovered from shoulder surgical procedure. Despite a shaky offensive preseason, it didn’t take lengthy for Cedric Coward to develop into a starter and showcase his two-way potential.
It is obvious that the 2025 NBA Draft ought to have lots of gamers that will probably be good for a very long time. What makes Coward’s high 5 end in the Rookie of the Year race much more spectacular is that the relaxation of the names above him had been the high 4 picks of the 2025 NBA Draft. It was simple to see why the Grizzlies favored him in the draft, however Coward made a stronger rookie impression than most anticipated.
Cedric Coward additionally joins Jaylen Wells and Zach Edey as current Grizzlies who completed in the high 5 in Rookie of the Year voting. The Grizzlies have handled some adversity in current seasons, however their younger expertise ought to encourage confidence, particularly Cedric Coward.
This is a superb signal for Cedric Coward making the All-Rookie First Team
A typical concern for Grizzlies followers is that Cedric Coward might probably be left off of the NBA All-Rookie First Team on account of taking part in fewer minutes in comparison with different high rookies. Despite that concern, Cedric Coward receiving a third-place vote is an indication that his robust rookie yr didn’t go unnoticed. There is a better probability that Cedric Coward will get the first workforce recognition he deserves.
A enjoyable truth that ought to now encourage Grizzlies followers is that every rookie since 2020 that completed high 5 in the Rookie of the Year vote ended up making All-Rookie First Team. Despite Cedric Coward coping with some accidents and minute restrictions, his profitable impression was already on show as a rookie. It simply further provides to the pleasure of the sort of participant Coward can nonetheless evolve into previous this season.
The Grizzlies can have lots of work to do that summer time, however the workforce ought to really feel nice about nailing the Cedric Coward pick. At worst, Coward must be a dependable function participant for a very long time, however it can’t be counted out that he evolves into the subsequent Grizzlies star.
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