Grizzlies rookie Cedric Coward reveals his ambitious vision for stamping his mark and accelerating Memphis' competitive resurgence.
When the Memphis Grizzlies selected Cedric Coward with the 11th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the move was viewed as aggressive. Months later, it looks justified.
Despite missing the Rising Stars Challenge due to injury, Coward has emerged as one of the most productive rookies in his class, sparking quiet redraft conversations that place him far higher than No. 11.
Appearing recently on Kevin O’Connor’s show, Coward offered a revealing look into his mindset. Asked about his primary goal for the remainder of the season, the rookie forward didn’t focus solely on numbers. “Just to keep getting better,” he said, emphasizing both personal growth and team impact.
More notably, he spoke about wanting to “stamp” not only his development on the league, but also Memphis as a competitive force.
“Like understand, we may be going through whatever we’re going through right now — whether you want to call it a rebuild or a transfer to the new generation, whatever it may be… But it’s not going to be long. It’s not going to be long,” he added.
However, for a team navigating a transitional phase after major roster changes, that tone matters.
Statistically, Coward has already provided a foundation. Through 48 games, he is averaging 13.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists while shooting 46.8 percent from the field. Those numbers reflect a player capable of raising a team’s floor.
With Ja Morant sidelined and Memphis battling inconsistency, Coward’s steady production has been one of the few constants. His continued growth as an off-the-dribble creator and defender could accelerate what many labeled a long rebuild.
Coward’s education, however, has come in real time. During All-Star Weekend, he described his personal “Welcome to the NBA” moment — guarding Stephen Curry. A flurry of dribble moves, a step-back three, and Curry’s signature shimmy left an impression.
“It seemed so fun on TV,” Coward admitted. “But then getting scored on, I was like, yeah, this not that fun anymore.” He had a similar experience against Kevin Durant, who simply shot over him. For Coward, the lesson wasn’t humiliation. Rather, it was perspective as the margin at this level is razor-thin.
That perspective fuels his urgency. While the Grizzlies may endure more losses this season, Coward does not view the process as prolonged. His comments suggest he believes Memphis can shorten its rebuild significantly. With a healthy Zach Edey returning and additional talent likely arriving through the draft, the Grizzlies’ ceiling may rise faster than expected.
For now, Coward’s focus remains simple but ambitious: improve daily and compete immediately. If his rookie trajectory continues upward, Memphis may not be rebuilding for long.