Not each participant’s path to the NBA is similar. That’s actually true for Washington State’s Cedric Coward. He started his collegiate profession in Division III and might be a lottery decide this month.
Coward started his profession at Willamette College in Salem, Oregon. His expertise degree was much better than Division III, and Coward transferred to Japanese Washington. He performed two seasons within the Huge Sky Convention earlier than transferring to Washington State for his senior yr in 2024-25. Coward had an explosive draft mix and shortly turned a participant groups need to draft. His rise from Division III to the NBA is outstanding.
Cedric Coward might be a lottery decide in a number of weeks
From D3 Hoops to NBA Draft Boards
How an unheralded D3 athlete landed a suggestion to Duke & turned a projected 1st Spherical 2025 NBA Draft decide
Cedric Coward’s inconceivable journey 🧵 pic.twitter.com/vOUsEZQWs9
— D3Direct (@D3Direct) June 5, 2025
In 2024-25, ahead Cedric Coward solely performed six video games for Washington State. He missed a majority of the season with {a partially} torn labrum in his shoulder. The 21-year-old initially dedicated to Duke to play for the 2025-26 season. Nonetheless, Coward examined extremely properly on the 2025 NBA draft mix. He has chosen to forgo his alternative to play for Duke and can preserve his identify within the 2025 draft.
Coward performed in six video games for Washington State final yr earlier than struggling a season-ending damage. He averaged 17.7 factors, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 blocks per sport. Cedric Coward is a novel prospect coming into the 2025 draft. At six ft six, he’s an extremely athletic participant with a seven-foot-two wingspan. The senior is a gifted shooter and is an all-around super prospect.
After beginning his collegiate profession in Division III, Cedric Coward will possible be a first-round decide in 2025. There’s an opportunity he’s drafted as a lottery decide within the high 14. NBA scouts view Coward as a modern-day ahead. He’s barely undersized, however his athleticism and talent make up for that. Cedric Coward is a gifted two-way prospect heading into the 2025 NBA draft. Simply how excessive will the previous Division III participant be drafted on June 25?
