Coward's Perfect Debut Lifts Grizzlies Over Pelicans

Cedric Coward, the No. 11 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, made his Memphis Grizzlies debut on Oct. 22, scoring 14 points on perfect shooting (5-5 FG, 4-4 FT) in a 128-122 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. He finished plus-24 in 22 minutes with rebounds, a block and two steals, and his first NBA basket was an acrobatic and-1 layup after chasing a loose ball. The breakout came despite a rough preseason (31.1% shooting) and gave the injury-depleted Grizzlies a timely boost amid rotation questions. Coward’s rise—from Division III Willamette to Eastern Washington to Washington State—and his decision to remain in the NBA draft rather than transfer to Duke underscore his unconventional path.