NBA Rookie of the Year vote further proves Grizzlies nailed the Cedric Coward pick
Truthfully, the major focus of the Rookie of the Year race was whether or not or not Cooper Flagg or Kon Knueppel would win the award. Cooper Flagg ended up profitable the award, however the story for the Grizzlies is Cedric Coward getting a third-place vote. Cedric Coward secured a prime 5 end in the Rookie of the Year race and further proved that the Grizzlies nailed the pick.
Last summer season, the Grizzlies traded as much as the eleventh general pick and chosen Cedric Coward following a formidable draft mix. Even although there have been considerations about how a lot the Grizzlies gave as much as choose him, Coward had a sensational rookie season and is a robust constructing block for the Grizzlies going ahead.
Cedric Coward exceeds expectations as a rookie
In 62 video games, Cedric Coward averaged 13.6 factors, 5.9 rebounds, and a couple of.8 assists. Coward didn’t seem in Summer League since he had not totally recovered from shoulder surgical procedure. Despite a shaky offensive preseason, it did not take lengthy for Cedric Coward to turn into a starter and showcase his two-way potential.
It is evident that the 2025 NBA Draft ought to have loads of gamers that will likely be good for a very long time. What makes Coward’s prime 5 end in the Rookie of the Year race much more spectacular is that the relaxation of the names above him have been the prime 4 picks of the 2025 NBA Draft. It was simple to see why the Grizz preferred him in the draft, however Coward made a stronger rookie influence than most anticipated.
Cedric Coward additionally joins Jaylen Wells and Zach Edey as current Grizzlies who completed in the prime 5 in Rookie of the Year voting. The Grizzlies have handled some adversity in current seasons, however their younger expertise ought to encourage confidence, particularly Cedric Coward.
This is a good signal for Cedric Coward making the All-Rookie First Team
A standard concern for Grizzlies followers is that Cedric Coward might doubtlessly be left off of the NBA All-Rookie First Team on account of enjoying fewer minutes in comparison with different prime rookies. Despite that concern, Cedric Coward receiving a third-place vote is an indication that his robust rookie yr didn’t go unnoticed. There is a better probability that Cedric Coward will get the first workforce recognition he deserves.
A enjoyable truth that ought to now encourage Grizzlies followers is that every rookie since 2020 that completed prime 5 in the Rookie of the Year vote ended up making All-Rookie First Team. Despite Cedric Coward coping with some accidents and minute restrictions, his profitable influence was already on show as a rookie. It simply further provides to the pleasure of the kind of participant Coward can nonetheless evolve into previous this season.
The Grizzlies could have loads of work to do that summer season, however the workforce ought to really feel nice about nailing the Cedric Coward pick. At worst, Coward must be a dependable function participant for a very long time, but it surely can’t be counted out that he evolves into the subsequent Grizzlies star.
