On Facebook
On Flipboard
On Twitter
Washington State forward Cedric Coward is officially keeping his name in the 2025 NBA Draft, according to ESPN’s Jonathan Givony (X link).
We previously wrote that this was an expected outcome, but it’s notable for a couple of reasons. For starters, Coward had committed to playing next season at Duke, but will no longer do so as he heads to the pros. Secondly, it is perhaps indicative that Coward has first-round value to teams. He’s currently ESPN’s 35th best available prospect, but after an impressive combine, this decision seems to indicate he’s expecting to be taken in the first.
Coward played six games at Washington State last season before suffering a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the year. He averaged 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 blocks while shooting 55.7% from the floor and 40.0% from three during his stint with the Cougars.
Before transferring to Washington State, he played two years at Eastern Washington, averaging 11.3 points and 6.1 rebounds in 66 games there.
More must-reads:
- Duke adds top international prospect to stacked recruiting class
- North Texas forward withdraws from NBA Draft
- The 'MLB mascot names' quiz
Breaking News
Trending News
TODAY'S BEST
Wisconsin Badgers Basketball: John Blackwell Previews Team’s Exciting Guard Unit for 2025 Season – ‘We Complement Our Games Really Well’
Kansas coach Bill Self released from hospital
Kansas men's basketball coach Bill Self was released from the hospital Saturday after undergoing a procedure two days earlier to insert two stents, the university announced. Self, 62, had checked into Lawrence Memorial Hospital on Thursday after experiencing "some concerning symptoms" and feeling unwell. The school said he is expected to make a full recovery. "I want to thank all the amazing doctors and nurses at LMH Health for the excellent care I received during my stay," Self said in a statement. "I feel strong and am excited to be home. Our team has had a productive summer, and I'm looking forward to recharging and preparing for the upcoming season." Thursday marked the second heart-related procedure for Self in just more than two years. After being hospitalized because of chest tightness and concerns about his balance, he underwent a catheterization in March 2023 and had two stents put in to treat blocked arteries. The procedure forced him to miss the Big 12 and NCAA Tournaments that year as Kansas, a No. 1 seed, was ousted by No. 8 Arkansas in the second round. Self, the winningest men's basketball coach in Jayhawks history, signed a $53 million contract in 2023, making him the highest-paid coach in college basketball. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017 and is entering his 23rd season with Kansas. He has a 624-156 record there, winning two national titles. Kansas will open its season Nov. 3 against Wisconsin-Green Bay.
Maple Leafs Linked With All-Star in Potential Move
As the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to search for different ways to improve the roster, one area where the team needs help is depth. This could see Toronto's front office explore multiple options to bring more talent to the team. And it seems that the Maple Leafs are being linked with a former All-Star to help bolster the team. That would be veteran Max Pacioretty, who spent this past season with the Maple Leafs. Toronto and reportedly have mutual interest in a reunion, but nothing has come about yet. Pacioretty was rumored to be retiring earlier in the offseason, but it seems that he could return for another season. The veteran only played 37 games for the Maple Leafs this past season, mainly due to injury. With the Maple Leafs, Pacioretty scored just five goals and put up eight assists. Since his time on the ice was limited, the veteran may want to come back to prove he can still produce. This would give Pacioretty a chance to go out on his own terms, rather than leaving following an injury-riddled season. Pacioretty would give the Maple Leafs some needed depth, and he could play an important role in the backend of the lines. While the veteran isn't the same player that he once was, he could still give this team a jolt if he can stay healthy. But whether he decides to return or call it a career remains up in the air. However, it seems that if he does return for next season, the Maple Leafs may be the only team that he considers.
Cleveland Guardians Slapped With Bad News Before Trade Deadline
The Cleveland Guardians are quite a mystery heading into the MLB trade deadline, as no one seems to know whether they will buy, sell or possibly even do nothing before July 31. The Guardians are hovering around .500, but they are still smack dab in the middle of the American League Wild Card race. That's in spite of losing 10 straight just before the All-Star break. Even with Cleveland remaining in contention, there are some who believe the Guardians might sell given their conservative nature, but talk show host Bruce Drennan has provided some rather bad news for the team in that regard: the players they might want to move don't have much value. “No top prospects for a big bat, and I don’t necessarily see us selling players, like Carlos Santana or Lane Thomas. What can you get in return?” Drennan said. Drennan has a point. Santana and Thomas are both impending free agents, and neither has been all that good this season. Santana owns a .665 OPS, and Thomas has been on and off the injured list while hitting just .160 on the year. Of course, the Guardians would surely be able to land a hefty return for players like Steven Kwan and Emmanuel Clase, but it does not seem like Cleveland is going to move either of those two stars. Perhaps the Guardians will surprise some people and go all in by adding pieces at the deadline, but that isn't exactly in their nature. We'll see what happens before the end of the months, but it stands to reason that Cleveland might just stand pat, as Drennan anticipates. Read More Cleveland Guardians Coverage
Rangers Sign Former Stanley Cup Champion to Tryout Agreement
The New York Rangers are adding to their forward depth ahead of their upcoming training camp. The Rangers are entering a new chapter of their organization under new head coach Mike Sullivan. After missing the postseason last year, the organization is trying to rebound and respond accordingly in 2025 and 2026. Former Stanley Cup champion forward Conor Sheary is the latest player to join the new-look Rangers. The veteran forward agreed to a professional tryout agreement (PTO) with the club and will look to earn an NHL deal with his performance in training camp and the preseason. Sheary is a veteran of 593 NHL games. Originally an undrafted free agent, he signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins after completing his collegiate career. Following a year with the Penguins' AHL affiliate, he forced his way onto the NHL squad after posting 36 points in his first 30 games of the 2015-2016 season at the AHL level. His debut NHL season went better than ever expected, and he was a key part of the Penguins' lineup that won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2016 and 2017. Sheary's coach at the time, both at the AHL and NHL levels, was Mike Sullivan. Now, he'll get the chance to reunite with the coach under whom he won two championships. In addition to playing for the Penguins, Sheary has played for three other NHL franchises. The Pens dealt him to the Buffalo Sabres before the 2018-2019 campaign, but he would return to Pittsburgh the following season at the trade deadline. After his second stint with the Penguins, he joined the Washington Capitals. He played three seasons in Washington, D.C. before landing with the Tampa Bay Lightning, where he spent the past two years. Over his 593 career games, he's compiled 124 goals and 143 assists for 267 points. His best NHL season came during the 2016-2017 campaign, his second in the league. He scored 23 goals and added 30 assists for 53 points in 61 regular-season games.
Customize Your Newsletter
+
Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!
PRIVACY POLICY EDITORIAL POLICY CONTACT US
ABOUT YARDBARKER TERMS OF SERVICE
Use of this website (including any and all parts and
components) constitutes your acceptance of these
Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
This site is for entertainment purposes only.
There is no gambling offered on this site.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler.
