Washington State University Athletics
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Cedric Coward Named NBA All-Rookie First Team
May 22, 2026 | Men's Basketball
PULLMAN, Wash. – Former Washington State men's basketball forward Cedric Coward was named to the National Basketball Association's 2025-26 All-Rookie First-Team, becoming the second-consecutive professional Cougar to garner the League's postseason rookie recognition. Last season, Jaylen Wells became the second all-time Coug named to the NBA All-Rookie Team, after Klay Thompson made history as the first Cougar to earn All-Rookie honors.
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Coward was acquired by Memphis with the 11th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, matching Klay Thompson as the top Wazzu men's basketball player drafted in NBA history. Coward placed fifth in the NBA Rookie of the Year voting after appearing in 62 games with 47 starts. The Fresno, California native averaged 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 25.8 minutes. Among qualified rookies, he ranked sixth in scoring, fourth in rebounding, fifth in field goal percentage (.471), second in free throw percentage (.843) and tied for fourth in double-doubles (7).
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The 22-year-old, who was selected by NBA assistant coaches to the 2026 Rising Stars as part of NBA All-Star Weekend, scored in double figures 49 times and at least 20 points eight times. He set career highs with 28 points and 16 rebounds in 37 minutes on Dec. 30 vs. Philadelphia.
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Last June, Coward became the 19th player from Washington State to be selected as a top-60 pick and marks the third-consecutive NBA Draft with a Cougar selected, marking the first time since the 1970-72 NBA Drafts with WSU players taken in three consecutive years.
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Coward had his WSU career cut short just six games into his senior season after arriving on campus in the summer of 2024 from Eastern Washington. Entering his senior season, Coward was named to the WCC All-Preseason Team and delivered three 20-point performances in his first six games, including a 30-point career-high against Northern Colorado before a left shoulder injury in late November ended his college career.
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Over his college career, Coward overcame the obstacles of recruitment during the pandemic to land at Division-III Willamette University in Oregon. WSU Head Coach David Riley took notice after Coward was named the conference's freshman of the year, bringing the rising sophomore to Eastern Washington. Coward excelled under Riley's tutelage, grabbing a triple-double as a sophomore before becoming a unanimous All-Big Sky First Team selection by his junior season.
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Coward was acquired by Memphis with the 11th overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, matching Klay Thompson as the top Wazzu men's basketball player drafted in NBA history. Coward placed fifth in the NBA Rookie of the Year voting after appearing in 62 games with 47 starts. The Fresno, California native averaged 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 25.8 minutes. Among qualified rookies, he ranked sixth in scoring, fourth in rebounding, fifth in field goal percentage (.471), second in free throw percentage (.843) and tied for fourth in double-doubles (7).
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The 22-year-old, who was selected by NBA assistant coaches to the 2026 Rising Stars as part of NBA All-Star Weekend, scored in double figures 49 times and at least 20 points eight times. He set career highs with 28 points and 16 rebounds in 37 minutes on Dec. 30 vs. Philadelphia.
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Last June, Coward became the 19th player from Washington State to be selected as a top-60 pick and marks the third-consecutive NBA Draft with a Cougar selected, marking the first time since the 1970-72 NBA Drafts with WSU players taken in three consecutive years.
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Coward had his WSU career cut short just six games into his senior season after arriving on campus in the summer of 2024 from Eastern Washington. Entering his senior season, Coward was named to the WCC All-Preseason Team and delivered three 20-point performances in his first six games, including a 30-point career-high against Northern Colorado before a left shoulder injury in late November ended his college career.
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Over his college career, Coward overcame the obstacles of recruitment during the pandemic to land at Division-III Willamette University in Oregon. WSU Head Coach David Riley took notice after Coward was named the conference's freshman of the year, bringing the rising sophomore to Eastern Washington. Coward excelled under Riley's tutelage, grabbing a triple-double as a sophomore before becoming a unanimous All-Big Sky First Team selection by his junior season.
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