“Unique defender for his position,” Cedric Coward continues to bluff the Grizzlies

Selected 11th during the last draft, in June, Cedric Coward continues to be one of the best “first years” of the 2025 vintage. He is preparing to participate in the Rising Stars Challenge, during the All-Star Weekend, and therefore competes for a place on the “All-Rookie Team” at the end of the season.

HAS Memphiswe do not miss in any case to leave the responsibility to a very experienced rear of – already – 22 years old, both in attack (14 points on average, only Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. are better) as well as in defense.

And it is precisely defensively that he seduces his coach: ” He is a unique defender for his position » the judge Tuomas Iisalo. « At heart, he is a point guard, but he offers a lot in terms of perimeter protection, wingspan and defensive rebounding, the importance of which is often underestimated and overlooked. »

Compared to Kawhi Leonard, the former two-time Defensive Player of the Year with whom he intends to train over the summer, and as much as he’s gone under the radar, Cedric Coward isn’t always perfect on the court. But he’s learning and his team is especially better when he’s around (+4.4 points difference in defense, with and without him).

The best is yet to come

« I got spanked a few times on the butt, but at the same time, I held up pretty well against some of the guys. So we learn many things at once » the former Willamette University resident in Eastern Washington and Washington State admits on the subject.

Learning is still going well for a Grizzlies player who, like any rookie, is far from a finished product.

« Every beginner has a lot to learn » assures Tuomas Iisalo in this regard. ” He experienced a lot of success very quickly, but it is very important to remember that his best years are still far ahead of him. It’s a lifelong learning process and there’s no better way to learn than to be thrown in the deep end, to face big players, to be faced with different kinds of opposition. »

None to hide on the floor, and eager ” not to repeat it twice » the same mistake when he is there, Cedric Coward is a nice surprise of a darkened season in Memphis.

Where he very conveniently says: ” To be able to do (what I do) and see the team believe in me to do it… It gives me even more confidence in myself » denotes one who comes from a successful European experience (15 points on average on 55% shooting, with some good defensive sequences on Franz Wagner).

How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.