[The following scouting report is part of a series on potential 2025 draft prospects from Sports Business Classroom alumni.]

Cedric Coward
Frame: 6’6″, 213 lbs
Position: Wing
Team: Washington State Cougars
2025 Draft Age: 21
Stats via: Sports-Reference​

Offense

Coward offers a highly intriguing offensive blend, combining impressive shooting, developing secondary playmaking, and the ability to exploit mismatches. He averaged 18 points per game on stellar efficiency: 56 percent from the field, 40 percent from three, and 84 percent from the line during his brief 2024-25 season. With an NBA-ready frame and a 7’2″ wingspan, his jumper mechanics are compact, repeatable, and smooth. A high release allows him to shoot comfortably over closing defenders, converting 40.6 percent on catch-and-shoot triples throughout his Division I career. He thrives off screens and dribble handoffs, using well-coordinated footwork to maintain balance and rhythm for stationary spot-ups and movement shots.

As a handler and decision-maker, Coward remains somewhat raw but promising. His handle can appear loose due to long limbs, yet he shows craft by slithering into driving lanes and finishing creatively at the rim. Steadily improving footwork enables him to pivot and find angles effectively once inside the paint. While currently prone to picking up his dribble too early, continued physical maturation and tighter ball control could unlock significant upside as a driver and secondary creator.

He also displays intriguing playmaking instincts, regularly executing sharp cross-court kickouts and high-level entry passes. Vision and timing stand out, particularly in quick-decision situations in transition or secondary actions. Though not a projected primary ball-handler at the next level, Coward holds clear value as a connective passer and initiator of inverted actions, using his size advantage against smaller defenders.

Defense

Coward’s defensive versatility is a key part of his NBA appeal. Quick feet, fluid hips, and exceptional length allow him to switch across perimeter assignments while also holding his own against bigger wings and smaller forwards. He uses his wingspan effectively to disrupt passing lanes and contest shots, supported by a 3.7 percent block and 1.8 percent steal rates. He plays with consistent energy off the ball, rotating with urgency, closing out with discipline, and providing weak-side rim protection.

Coward utilizes his length on the ball to deflect passes and pressure handlers. However, his lateral quickness, while solid, is not elite. Faster guards occasionally beat him by attacking his top foot and forcing rotations. Improving core strength and refining defensive footwork will be vital to limiting those breakdowns at the next level.

As a chase defender, Coward shows excellent instincts. He tracks movement through off-ball screens, stays attached to shooters, and uses length to contest jumpers. His ability to alter perimeter shots, including several blocked three-point attempts, adds value to today’s spacing-heavy NBA.

Looking Ahead

Coward should be a strong target for teams drafting late in the first round, offering high-upside potential as a two-way contributor. His blend of NBA-caliber athleticism, versatile shooting, and defensive adaptability fits well in modern, switch-heavy schemes and motion-based offenses. Although a shoulder injury limited his most recent sample, Coward’s rise from Division III standout to legitimate NBA prospect suggests substantial untapped potential. If ball-handling and strength continue to improve, he could develop into a high-impact complementary piece in the mold of Jerami Grant or Mikal Bridges, wings who excel as defensive cogs and reliable offensive connectors.