10th Pick? Why Cedric Coward Could Be the 2025 Draft’s Best Under-the-Radar Gem

The Man Who Broke the Mold in Six Games

Six games. That’s all it took for Cedric Coward to turn heads across the NBA draft circuit. Not a full season. Not even half. Just six outings at Washington State—and yet his numbers scream future starter.

He dropped 17.7 points per game, pulled down 7 rebounds, dished out 3.7 assists, and shot an absurd 55.7% from the field—while draining nearly 40% from deep. Real shooting efficiency? A jaw-dropping 70% true shooting rate.

But here’s what really caught my eye: his defensive impact wasn’t just presence—it was disruption. A +9.3 net rating? On such limited minutes?

That’s not luck. That’s potential.

From D-III to D-I: A Blueprint for Resilience

Coward didn’t start with power-conference pedigree. He began at Willamette University (D-III), where he averaged 19.4 points and 12 rebounds as a freshman—earning conference MVP honors.

Then came two years at Eastern Washington—where he evolved from a role player into a dynamic offensive hub.

Now? He’s in the spotlight with Washington State—but injury cut short his season early.

I’ve studied hundreds of players through AI-driven film analysis tools using NBA API data—and few have shown this kind of organic growth across levels.

This isn’t hype. It’s progression.

What Makes Him Different?

At 6’6”, with a 7’2” wingspan and giant hands, Coward is built like modern defense meets space-spilling offense—a hybrid archetype that every team craves right now.

He can guard multiple positions on switches, lock down ballhandlers, slice through screens, drain threes off movement… and still finish hard at the rim when needed.

And yes—the footage shows him driving with confidence now—not just spotting up or cutting after pick-and-roll finishes anymore.

His decision-making under pressure still needs refining—but that’s where rookie seasons shine.

The Risk vs Reward Equation: Is He Worth It?

Let me be clear: his defensive rating ranks only in the top 14% of prospects—not elite yet—but his effort level is elite-level physicality blended with basketball IQ that exceeds expectations for someone so young and raw.

Meanwhile, his offensive upside sits in the top 3% of draft class peers based on scoring volume per possession—especially when factoring in shot creation quality from video breakdowns I ran via Tableau-based models.

Could he become an All-NBA player? Maybe not overnight—but if development accelerates like it did during his last three college stops… yes—he could absolutely become an impact starter or even rotational star within five years.

Final Verdict: Target at the Edge of Your Board?

Yes—in my view—the 10th pick is not too high for someone who combines athleticism, shot-making ability, length-based defense,and relentless upward trajectory all while having zero major red flags beyond health concerns (which are common).

Even if he doesn’t evolve into a primary ballhandler immediately, his floor is higher than most wings available this year—and that makes him one of the most attractive value plays in this entire draft class.

closer look → better investment.