In the projected 2025 NBA Draft class, are three wing prospects that averaged 17 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists per game while shooting at least 36 percent from 3 in 2024-25: Duke freshman Cooper Flagg, Colorado State fifth-year senior Nique Clifford, and Washington State senior Cedric Coward.
Among those players, there will be many scouting reports on Flagg, who is expected to be the first overall pick in the upcoming draft. With Clifford becoming an increasingly popular prospect, it won’t be difficult to dig up one for him as well. In fact, Last Word on Sports has one hand right here.
There might not be many on Coward though, as he’s flown under the radar throughout his collegiate career. For one, the Cougars simply don’t draw as much attention as the Blue Devils. When he played for the Eastern Washington Eagles it was even worse, despite them winning their conference championship in both years. However, the real reason that he hasn’t made much noise this draft cycle is because he sustained a season-ending shoulder injury in January.
Nevertheless, he can’t be ignored.
2025 NBA Draft: Cedric Coward Scouting Report
Though his season was cut short, Coward was putting up career numbers while facing better competition than ever. Literally. The Fresno native averaged 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game in 2024-25, all career-highs. He also converted a career-high 40.0 percent of his 3-point attempts; his third consecutive season shooting at least 38 percent from 3.
A crafty scorer with great patience and feel, Coward excels at getting to his spots. When he’s attacking off the dribble, he slithers around the court, his handle tight and smooth. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 190 pounds, he’s certainly more lean than burly. Nonetheless, he confidently bodies up defenders on post-ups.
When he doesn’t have the ball in his hands, he knows how to get himself open. With his soft touch, this makes him quite the missile from outside; a long-range missile. This is a particularly useful skill with the way the game is played now.
30 points on 12-18 FG from versatile WSU wing Cedric Coward last night vs Northern Colorado. The Divison III product’s handle and footwork continue to evolve. Got to his spots with pace, leveraging his strength, 7-foot-wingspan, and high-rising release. pic.twitter.com/xvF6LLbL68
— Jacob Myers (@League_Him) November 19, 2024
The fact that he’s shooting 59.5 percent from the field for his career only highlights how masterful of a scorer he truly is. That being said, because of his scoring ability, Coward gets a lot of attention from the defense. He’s adept at using that gravity to make plays for his teammates.
At the other end, Coward relies on his length, hands, and timing. Though he’s capable of playing in the passing lanes and taking advantage of lackadaisical ball-handlers, he’s one of the rare perimeter players who’s better at swatting shots than coming away with steals. However, because he can be prone to getting beat off the dribble, his shot-blocking ability is even more important than it otherwise would be.
Will He Declare?
Coward looks like he could make a legitimate impact in the NBA.
In fact, though somewhat of a late bloomer, he’s demonstrated NBA talent for multiple seasons. It would be nice to have more tape on him from the 2024-25 season, for sure. Nonetheless, it’s not as if there wasn’t already evidence he could be a hidden gem.
Due to his shoulder injury, he could look to return to college for another year. Still, Coward should at least listen to what NBA teams have to say. The smart ones will be interested. On Day One, he should be able to make an impact similar to Los Angeles Lakers wing Dalton Knecht, who was a potential lottery pick last year. While he ended up falling to 17th, Knecht is universally considered to be among the best players in his class.
© James Snook-Imagn Images
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