Three Cougars have made NBA All-Rookie First Team in the last 15 years: Klay Thompson, Jaylen Wells and now Cedric Coward. Washington State men’s basketball may not have a plethora of talent like Duke and Kentucky, but history shows that when hidden gems make it through WSU, they blossom once in the NBA.

Coward had an impressive rookie season despite all the injuries that plagued the back half of the season. Coward averaged 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game while becoming one of the Grizzlies’ top young contributors.

His impact was felt early and often for the Grizzlies, dating all the way back to 2025 when he scored 27 points with six rebounds and made six 3-pointers. His all-around play and consistency throughout the season helped him earn recognition as one of the NBA’s best rookies.

While he may have been overshadowed by some of his other rookie classmates like Cooper Flagg and Dylan Harper, there is a legitimate argument that Coward would have gone top five instead of 11 in a re-draft.

Nonetheless, this achievement adds another milestone for Washington State basketball as multiple former Cougars continue finding success at the NBA level.