CEDRIC COWARD

HISTERICALCHEES COMBINE APPROVED

Position/Archetype: Lengthy 3&D Wing

College: Washington State

Pros:

• Size and Length: Simply the best part of his skillset is the 7'2 wingspan as a 6'5 wing. 206 Lbs there too, he use his length really well to defend primarily, as a POA defender and chasing down and disrupt on defence this is where it gets very interesting. and then being able to shoot over most wings in the NBA is gonna be big for him. Similar measurements to Jalen Williams.

• Athleticism: He's shown great vertical in the footage we've seen, he had a 38 inch vertical but to be honest I will say he doesn't impress me that much outside of that, like his lateral movement and speed aren't very impressive. But yes the extreme vertical with his size is super interesting.

• Three Point Shooting: I kinda like the shot, reminds me of Mikal Bridges a lot with his upper form. I think he's got enough upside as a movement shooter, catch and shoot shooting seems to be the most translatable part right now though. I buy it translating to the NBA just wished we'd had more of a high level film of his shot going in but unfortunately we do not.

• POA Defence: Uses his length really well to stay ahead of his man, I think he can be better laterally with his movement but staying in front and contesting shots with is long wingspan, knocking loose balls out with his arms I think thats his big defensive skill. But he also isn't a super effective defender, he's a plus, pretty good defender but far from his most interesting skill.

• Inside Creation and space spotting: He gets defended as a movement shooter, being denied the ball a lot and followed pretty intensely, he is able to spot how to take advantage with cuts and coming off handoffs to drive and create shots inside. Whether thats in the mid range or in the post where he's shown strong ability to make shots from.

• Connectivity: He can start plays off with good passes and finding open men, he's not gonna be a creator for others but smart enough to start sets off and find open men and people in a space to create advantages for themselves. and thats super useful as a team player and also a plug and play guy.

Cons:

• Inexperience: first year in D1 and played 6 games, previously only in D3. although he showed very impressive stuff in those games thats a very limited film to go over and why we've seen his combine matter so much.

• Injury: His shoulder like blew the hell up. Not gonna say he's gonna have career injury problems but I'm pretty worried it might become that.

• IQ: Defence IQ off ball ain't there when rotating and can get caught out a good bit but his body and athleticism allows him to recover well. He picks up his dribble way too early when pressured so learning how to get around that at the NBA level will be interesting.

• Strength: He's pretty skinny, probably needs to put some pounds on this offseason to be at NBA strength and size. But I feel like he has the frame for him to do so, I believe he can do it.

NBA Pro Comp: Mikal Bridges, Bilal Coulibaly

Projection: He's probably someone I can really see being a long time good role-player, potential starter or 6th man if he can translate these flashes we've seen in a short time period. But I'm worried he might not be a consistent healthy player or maybe the inexperiences bit him in the ass.

CHEESE FINAL BOARD RANKING: (coming soon)

https://youtu.be/ROGD71Ekz2A?si=OqazWg-f6pZECR84

Draft Range: Mid-Late 1st

Projected NBA rookie role:

Projected NBA position: Combo Guard

Projected Rookie Statline (Pts, Reb, Ast, Blk/Stl):

Strengths:

Weakness:

Shades of/comp:

Best outcome:

mid outcome:

worst outcome:

Cedric Coward is one of the most intriguing prospects in this year's NBA Draft. The 21-year-old turned down Duke after the combine, and it'll be interesting to see if that decision pays off. Coward is a great shooter, and that part of his game will translate well at the NBA level. Most of his jumpers come off of spot-ups, but he shows great footwork off movement, plus flashes touch as a midrange scorer. He has upside to be a great off-the-dribble shooter. Coward has good size for a wing with broad shoulders and long arms. He's got great ability to absorb contact, fight through screens, and get rebounds at an elite level for his size. He's not going to become a primary creator, but he is a solid passer. He's a versatile defender who is capable of guarding positions 1-4 and is a ballhawk away from the ball. He does have concerns: he has a significant injury history, he needs to bulk up, and his handle is basic. I also have doubts if he can play at the NBA level as he didn't get much experience at the Power 4 level, and he struggled against the only legit opponent he played against at Wazzu (Iowa).

NBA Comps: Jerami Grant, Ayo Dosunmu

Comp: Quentin Grimes/Aaron Nesmith/Moses Moody

• 6’6” w/ 7’2” wingspan

• really limited sample size due to shoulder injury

• elite elite perimiter shooter; can shoot it really well off the catch, on or off platform, off the bounce, etc. also moves incredibly well w/o the ball. one of the best shooting prospects in the class

• plays well within the flow of the offense; quick to attack closeouts and find passes as a connector

• solid finisher with good touch and promising upside

• struggles as a ball handler when pressured + can’t create his own shots off the bounce

• uses shoulder bumps well but otherwise doesn’t love the contact battle and doesn’t generate fouls at a super high level

• super disruptive as a defensive playmaker due to physicals; has great recovery tools

• quick lateral mover & low defensive stance but also has monster wingspan for great contests

• could be better against contact and isn’t good as a post defender (not that a 6’6” shooting guard/small forward needs to be)

• often caught ball watching/is late to rotations and closeouts

(25/5) TBC

Will turn 22 this year. 4 years of college, but only played 2 full seasons at Eastern Washington (D3), and didn't start his 1st year. Played 6 games at the D1 level. Inexperience is a genuine concern going to the NBA.

He missed that time due to injury, which could project poorly for his future, but I try to be positive about that sort of thing.

I like the look of his jumpshot a lot. Gets good lift and can hang in the air to get it off. Great rhythm and confidence.

Utilises his length well in the post and around the rim, flipping it up over smaller guys easily.

Defense is impressive, can get stops even on plays where he is unprepared or initially out of position. His length lets him stretch to block shot around the rim as a help defender, and can pick of steals in the passing lanes.

Combine results really boosted Coward's stock. 6'6 with a 7'2 wingspan (1st in guards). 4th heaviest and 1st in standing reach with big hands. 3rd fastest 3/4 sprint, 3rd highest standing vert (32.5") and 5th max (38.5"). Elite size, length, and jump for a wing player.

Coward sometimes makes silly mistakes, or makes immature decisions on the court. Simple things like picking up his dribble early, slow rotations and help, etc.

Amazingly efficient. Finishing, mid-range, FTs, all super high level. 3 point shot sat at 37% as a Jr, not elite but very solid.

Comp: Jerami Grant

Good IQ, great passer, good shooter and has some bounce. He had a great combine (6'6 and 7'2 wingspan). He could be a good rotational piece and still has a ceiling of being a second star of a team. He was hidden in lower leagues which explain his age and the potential still unexplored. No matter what, his qualities and maturity will make him fit in any place in the league.

Reaaly interesting in interviews (KOC and Locked on Big Board).

NBA comparison : Royce O'Neale/Jalen Williams

Coward has gone from a Division III player to a potential first-round pick in just a few years behind his rapid development into a prospect with a valued 3-and-D skill-set. But he brings even higher upside thanks to his passing vision.

Pros:

Athleticism

Shooting

Interior Scoring

Basketball IQ

Passing

Defense

Cons:

Experience Level

Strength

Shot creation

Comparison: Kawhi Leonard