Latest news with #CedricCoward
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Grizzlies Announce Trade With Rockets After NBA Draft
Grizzlies Announce Trade With Rockets After NBA Draft originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Memphis Grizzlies haven't been shy to trade recently. After dealing Desmond Bane to the Orlando Magic before the NBA Finals ended, they also traded up from pick No. 16 to No. 11 and selected Washington State swingman Cedric Coward on Wednesday. Advertisement Memphis sent out a 2028 first-rounder (via Orlando), a 2027 second-rounder (via the Atlanta Hawks), and a 2028 second-rounder (via the Sacramento Kings) in the deal. The 6-foot-5-inch Coward shot 38.8 percent from deep in college and a combined 2.5 blocks and steals this past season. The Grizzlies also acquired the No. 59 overall pick's draft rights after the second round finished, via their social media. Tennessee Volunteers forward Tobe Awaka (11) and guard Jahmai Mashack (15).Lon Horwedel/USA TODAY Sports "The Memphis Grizzlies today announced the team has agreed in principle to acquire the draft rights to Jahmai Mashack, the No. 59 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, from the Houston Rockets as part of a trade that is not yet final," they said. Advertisement They announced the deal shortly after midnight EST on Friday. Mahsack averaged 4.2 points on 44 percent shooting (34.3 percent 3 PT) with 2.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists over 18.2 minutes across four seasons for Tennessee. The Volunteers converted the 6-foot-4-inch, 201-pounder to a full-time starter this past season. Mahsack averaged 5.8 points on 42.1 percent shooting (30 percent 3 PT) with four rebounds for the Volunteers in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Memphis also selected West Virginia guard Javon Small No. 48 overall. Next up for Coward, Small, and Mahsack is Summer League, which will take place in July. Advertisement Related: Cedric Coward Sends Ja Morant Message After Grizzlies' NBA Draft Trade Related: Grizzlies Trade Report Drops After Jaren Jackson Jr. Decision This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cedric Coward headlines Grizzlies intriguing final 2025 NBA Draft workout
The post Cedric Coward headlines Grizzlies intriguing final 2025 NBA Draft workout appeared first on ClutchPoints. With trade market surveying being near complete, the Memphis Grizzlies are getting serious about the 2025 NBA Draft. After weeks of only looking at prospects with slim second-round hopes, EVP Zach Kleiman has called in a few lottery talents. Asa Newell tops the charts as a frontcourt option. The team also flew in wings Cedric Coward (Washington St.), Paul Zilinskas (IU Indy), Ethan Taylor (Air Force), Simas Lukosius (Cincinnati), Chibuzo Agbo (USC), and Jonathan Pierre (Belmont). Advertisement Cedric Coward would be targeted with the 2025 NBA Draft's 16th overall pick. The Washington State alum has a lottery-level grade on some scouting boards. The other five are athletic wings worth a look in the second round or on the NBA Summer League squad. Each brings a unique skill set that addresses the need for wing depth and defensive flexibility following a first-round playoff exit. Chibuzo Agbo's shooting (40% 3PA last three seasons) is hard to ignore, for instance. Finding Cedric Coward's ceiling Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images Cedric Coward averaged 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, showcasing next-level two-way potential. His 7-foot-2 wingspan and 38.5-inch vertical make the 21-year-old a disruptive defender capable of guarding multiple positions, while his athleticism fuels highlight-reel finishes in transition. Coward's quick first step and ability to attack closeouts suggest there is plenty of offensive upside next to Ja Morant and Jaylen Wells. Advertisement Decision-making in the halfcourt offense remains a work in progress, as Coward occasionally forces drives rather than leveraging his playmaking vision. His ball handling can be loose under pressure, and there were struggles against physical defenders who crowded space. Thankfully, the Grizzlies would have the developmental time to ease Coward into a ball-handling role, given the current offensive hierarchy. Adding strength to his 210-pound frame will be crucial to absorb contact as a cutting option and hold his own defensively against NBA wings. Still, the Grizzlies could do a lot worse in the NBA Draft. Coward's high ceiling as a 3-and-D prospect is enticing, especially with some shot refinement and tightened ball-handling. Coward's journey from Division III obscurity to first-round buzz epitomizes late-blooming excellence. Despite limited high-level exposure, Coward dazzled scouts at the NBA Combine. Paul Zilinskas popping nets Paul Zilinskas emerged as a sleeper late second-round option after a lone Division I season at IU-Indy. The 6-foot-6 sharpshooter averaged approximately 18 points, three rebounds, and two assists while hitting over 41% from three-point range (7.2 3PA per game). Zilinskas thrives as a floor-spacer who moves well off the ball, using screens to create open looks. His high basketball IQ shines in cutting and relocating, making him a fit for modern NBA offenses. Advertisement Defensively, his lateral quickness allows him to stay in front of quicker guards, though his 6-foot-9 wingspan is more functional than disruptive. Still, an ability to knock down contested shots and execute simple reads in pick-and-roll sets would fit with the Grizzlies as an effective regular-season role player. However, Zilinskas' limitations could cap his upside. Average athleticism and lack of elite burst make it tough for him to create shots off the dribble, relegating him to a catch-and-shoot role. Defensively, Zilinskas struggles against stronger wings who can bully in the post or drive through contact. His passing is functional but lacks creativity, limiting his ability to facilitate complex offensive schemes. Grizzlies need new tools Ethan Taylor (Air Force) is a high-energy prospect who averaged 13.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.5 assists last season. Known for a relentless motor, the 6-foot-5 combo guard excels in transition, using a 6-foot-10 wingspan to finish above the rim and disrupt passing lanes. Taylor's defensive versatility stands out, as he can switch across positions 1-4 with quick feet and active hands, averaging 1.7 steals per game. Advertisement Offensively, Taylor's 38% three-point shooting shows promise, and his ability to attack closeouts adds a layer of versatility. His intangibles, shaped by Air Force's disciplined environment, make him a culture fit for the Grizzlies' gritty identity. The Third-Team Mountain West wing was the first Air Force player with 1,000 career points, 500 rebounds, and 300 assists, and recorded a triple-double as a freshman. Jonathan Pierre (Belmont) is a versatile 6-foot-6 two-way wing who averaged 13.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.5 assists to earn Missouri Valley Conference first-team honors. Pierre's ability to guard multiple positions is promising; the 36.8% three-point shooting is a work in progress. He did well at the Portsmouth Invitational but his jump shot lacks the consistency to punish defenses. Pierre's playmaking is limited, often defaulting to straight-line drives rather than creating for others. Simas Lukosius (Cincinnati) would provide intriguing size, shooting, and a European understanding to the Grizzlies. The 6-foot-8 wingman has a smooth stroke (37% 3PA) and can score from all three levels, plus the Lithuanian's versatility allows him to play both wing positions. Lukosius has dozens of smart passes on tape, displaying above-average court vision, though he can struggle against physical defenders. Chibuzo Agbo (USC) can claim to be the best shooter (38.3% 3PA) the Grizzlies have invited to town for 2025 NBA Draft workouts. Agbo works well in an off-ball motion offense, is an above-average rebounder on both ends, and rarely gets caught looking silly on defense. He had 39 turnovers and 33 steals last season. Adding in the deflections plus 22 weakside blocks and it is easy to see how Agbo would be a net-positive with the Grizzlies this summer. Advertisement The 6-foot-7, 230-pound Grizzlies prospect is a Desmond Bane clone in a slightly taller, stronger package, having hit 208 of 542 threes over the past three seasons in two different programs. Agbo could step into a GG Jackson or Brandon Clarke role almost immediately and provide 80% of the production for a fraction of the price. Related: Grizzlies give 7-foot insurance policies final look before 2025 NBA Draft Related: Grizzlies rumors: Memphis' Jaren Jackson Jr. 'focus' after Desmond Bane trade
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Awkward moment FOX host Colin Cowherd, 61, is advertently announced as an NBA Draft pick live on ESPN
A hilarious slip of the tongue saw Fox Sports host Colin Cowherd accidentally announced as a pick during this week's NBA Draft. With the 11th pick on Wednesday night, the Portland Trail Blazers selected Cedric Coward from Washington State. But as cameras cut to the 21-year-old celebrating with his loved ones, ESPN anchor Malika Andrews announced that Portland had picked 'Colin Cowherd'. 'This is a young man with the ultimate bet-on-yourself story,' Andrews continued. Alas, Colin Cowherd is a 61-year-old sportscaster with Fox Sports who hosts 'The Herd'. He made light of ESPN's error on social media. 'Apparently, I made a hell of an impact in Portland,' Cowherd wrote. He then used AI to create a picture of him wearing a Blazers jersey. 'Nothing against Memphis but this would have been epic,' Cowherd wrote alongside the image. Welcome to the Grizzlies, Colin Cowherd! — Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 26, 2025 Coward, meanwhile, ended up with the Grizzlies after Portland agreed to send his rights to Memphis on Wednesday night. The Grizzlies received Coward in exchange for Yang Hansen (the No 16 overall pick) as well as two second-round picks (2027 and 2028) and a 2028 first-round pick. Elsewhere on Wednesday, ESPN star Scott Van Pelt bemoaned the trend of newly-selected players wearing the wrong team's hat. It's a problem that comes with teams trading their picks and prospects, and results in players getting a photo with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver while wearing the hat of a team they will not play for. It happened a few times on Wednesday night, including with 10th overall pick Khaman Maluach, who was visibly crying while wearing a Houston Rockets hat. Maluach is headed to the Phoenix Suns, after the team acquired the pick in the blockbuster Kevin Durant trade. 'I'm gonna scream about the hat situation,' Van Pelt said on ESPN's airwaves during the 'SportsCenter' broadcast that immediately followed the first round.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Portland Trail Blazers trade #11 pick, select Yang Hansen at #16
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Portland Trail Blazers' pick is in, but with a twist. At No. 11 overall in this year's NBA Draft, that pick was traded by the Trail Blazers to the Memphis Grizzlies. With the Grizzlies pick, the Blazers selected Cedric Coward with the 11th pick, who has plenty of local ties to the Pacific Northwest. Coward played his freshman year in Salem at Willamette University. He then transferred from playing Division III ball to play at Eastern Washington before heading to the Palouse to play at Washington State. Advertisement With the Blazers trading their sole pick in this year's draft, they have received multiple picks from the Grizzlies including this year's No. 16 overall pick along with a 2028 first-round pick via the Orlando Magic and a pair of future second-round picks as well, according to ESPN insider Shams Charania. And thus, Blazers fans had to wait for the Blazers to be back on the clock with the 16th overall selection. So, after moving down five spots, Portland selected 19-year-old big man out of China, Yang Hansen at No. 16. Hansen stands at 7'1″ and while playing for the Qingdao Eagles in the Chinese Basketball Association this past season, he averaged 16.6 points, 10.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. He was an All-CBA first-team selection. Advertisement This has already been a busy start to the NBA offseason for the Trail Blazers. It was on Monday night when Charania reported that Portland was sending their longest-tenured player, sharp-shooter, Anfernee Simons to the Boston Celtics along with a pair of second-round picks as the Blazers get the decorated veteran Jrue Holiday in return. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
Economic Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- Economic Times
Memphis Grizzlies trade four picks to land Cedric Coward at No. 11
AP Cedric Coward poses for a photo with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected 11th by the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the NBA 2025 Draft. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger) Memphis Grizzlies kicked off draft night with a blockbuster move, sending their No. 16 pick, a 2028 first-rounder (via Orlando), and two second-round selections to Portland for the No. 11 slot. With it, they drafted Washington State guard Cedric Coward. Coward - a former Division III standout - impressed scouts with a silky jumper, 7-foot-2 wingspan and relentless motor before a shoulder injury cut his season to six games at 17.7 points and 7.0 rebounds. Though he had committed to Duke, he stayed in the draft after earning rave reviews. ALSO READ - NBA Draft 2025: Flagg, Harper, Edgecombe headline first-round picks At No. 10, Houston selected Duke freshman center Khaman Maluach, whose rights will shift to Phoenix on July 6 as part of the Kevin Durant trade. Earlier, the Suns had acquired veteran center Mark Williams from Charlotte in exchange for No. 29 (UConn's Liam McNeeley) and a 2029 first-rounder (protected among Cleveland, Minnesota and Utah). Williams averaged 15.3 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists last season. New Orleans traded its No. 23 pick (Georgia's Asa Newell) and an unprotected 2026 first-rounder to Atlanta for No. 13, using it on Maryland's Big Ten Freshman of the Year, center Derik Queen (16.5 points, 9.0 rebounds). ALSO READ - NBA Draft 2025: Complete List of first-round picks Utah then moved up to No. 18 - sending Nos. 21 and 43 plus 2031 and 2032 seconds to Washington - to draft Final Four MOP guard Walter Clayton Jr. Sacramento dealt its 2027 first-rounder to Oklahoma City for No. 24, selecting Colorado State guard Nique Clifford. Indiana, seeking depth after Tyrese Haliburton's Achilles tear, acquired No. 38 from San Antonio for a 2030 second-rounder and cash, adding to their late pick at No. 54.
