Cedric Coward’s Rookie Year Was Better Than You Think

What He Did Well

Cowards ability to score is evident, but beyond his scoring, he showed he has many skills that can make him successful in the future. Coward doesn't need the ball in his hands to succeed; he's a smart off-ball player and a very skilled rebounder for his size. He averaged nearly six rebounds a game, which is something Memphis needed all year. He’s active, he crashes, and he doesn’t shy away from physical play.

13+ points a game as a rookie isn’t easy, and he did it without forcing things. He picked his spots well, attacked when it made sense, and didn’t try to do too much. The 2.8 assists might not jump off the page, but they matter. He’s not just a scorer; he’s showing signs of being able to move the ball, make reads, and play within a system.

What He Needs to Work On

The biggest thing is pretty clear: the three-point shot has to get better. He finished at 33% from three, which isn’t terrible for a rookie, but it’s not where it needs to be if he’s going to take the next step. The good news? The form looks fine, and he’s not hesitant. That usually means improvement is coming. It’s more about consistency than anything. Beyond that, it’s about tightening everything up.

There are still moments where the game moves a little too fast for him. On the defensive end, he has missed rotations, late reads, and small mistakes that young players make. Nothing alarming, just part of the process. And like most rookies, he’ll need to get stronger and more disciplined defensively to really hold up over a full season. He has been in and out of the lineup, so hopefully he can stay healthy next year as well.

What’s Next

Coward had a very nice rookie year, and he put himself in a position to be a key player for the Grizzlies' future. Expectations are going to be higher next season, and his role and responsibilities should increase.

So now the question becomes, can he build on this? Can he improve his three-point shot and clean up some small mistakes and stay consistent. Time will tell but he has a real chance to turn into a key rotation player and maybe even a future star in the near future.