The Memphis Grizzlies have officially signed former Washington State forward Cedric Coward to his rookie scale contract, per the NBA.com transaction log.
Coward joins the Grizzlies after going undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft and is expected to compete for a roster spot heading into training camp.
Cedric Coward’s journey to the NBA has been anything but conventional, but his productivity at every stop helped earn him a shot with the Memphis Grizzlies.
Coward played just six games for Washington State in the 2024–25 season before a shoulder injury ended his senior year early. Despite the limited action, he impressed with averages of 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game, while shooting an efficient 55.7% from the field and 40.0% from beyond the arc.
Before transferring to WSU, the 6’6″ wing spent two seasons at Eastern Washington, where he posted solid numbers—11.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game across 66 appearances. He began his college career at Willamette University in Oregon, making his rise to the NBA even more remarkable.
Now signed to his rookie scale deal with Memphis, Coward will look to prove himself in Summer League and training camp as he works to earn a role with the Grizzlies.
After acquiring the 16th overall pick from Orlando as part of the Desmond Bane trade, the Grizzlies didn’t stop there—they packaged a future first-rounder to move up five more spots on draft night, ultimately selecting Cedric Coward at No. 11 overall.
Though Coward is unlikely to suit up for Summer League this month due to the shoulder injury that sidelined him for most of the 2024–25 season, he’s expected to be fully cleared in time for training camp.
According to rookie scale projections, Coward will earn approximately \$5.7 million in his first season and \$26.3 million over four years under the terms of his rookie contract.
With Coward’s signing, 29 of this year’s 30 first-round picks have now officially inked their deals. The lone exception is No. 22 pick Drake Powell, whose trade to the Brooklyn Nets was finalized Monday—he’s expected to sign shortly, bringing the class to a full 30-for-30.
