The DIII realization that set Cedric Coward on a fantastical 2025 NBA Draft path
The Division I vision, let alone the NBA dream, had slightly faded in Cedric Coward's mind when he headed to Willamette University — a Division III program — out of high school.
It wasn't the first step he envisioned for himself at all.
However, as Coward, a 6-foot-6 wing, sat in front of the media this week as an expected pick in the first round of the draft Wednesday night at Barclays Center, he was right where he dreamt of being.
'This is what I fully expected…' Coward said. 'You have to have a confidence in yourself that's kind of a bit crazy in a way.'
3 Cedric Coward arrives for the first round of the 2025 NBA draft.
AP
The Fresno, Calif., native admitted he 'wasn't that good' and needed to spend his freshman year at Willamette, a small liberal arts school in Oregon, because he hadn't put in the work required to play at a higher level.
But soon, without the distractions at home and while realizing his potential, Coward honed in on his game and developed the work ethic he realized he was lacking.
He averaged 19.4 points and 12 rebounds a game and was named the Northwest Conference freshman of the year, which led him to Division I and Eastern Washington University for his sophomore and junior years.
Follow The Post's coverage of the 2025 NBA Draft
'Me and my dad have this quote ever since I left for college: 'Play for where you want to go and not for where you are,'' he said. 'And this is a lesson also for young kids just like me that probably didn't get to where they wanted right out of high school. If you aim for your goal and you keep that same faith and belief in yourself, even if it looks super super far away, it's actually closer than you think.'
3 Jalen Cone #15 of the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks shoots over Cedric Coward #0 of the Eastern Washington Eagles.
Getty Images
It was at Eastern Washington that the NBA became more realistic. During his sophomore year, Coward was getting looks from scouts who were coming to watch others, but he was still getting compliments from them.
By junior year, when Coward, as he described, became the 'stereotype main guy,' the scouts were there for him as he averaged 15.4 points per game on 56 percent shooting.
'When you have that, it's a good feeling and it also gives you confidence,' he said. 'Since I'm getting these looks, I might as well make the most of it.'
Coward went to Washington State for his senior season, yet it was cut short — to just six games — after he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury and underwent surgery. He entered the transfer portal and committed to Duke, but then opted for the NBA.
3 Cedric Coward shoots the ball during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine on May 13, 2025.
NBAE via Getty Images
Coward has practiced with several teams, including the Nets, who had five first-round picks, including the No. 8 pick.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Miami Herald
24 minutes ago
- Miami Herald
Heat selects Jakučionis in the 2025 NBA Draft as fans put Durant, Butler drama in the past
Wednesday night at the Kaseya Center, Miami Heat fans spilled into the arena for the team's draft party. Amid pop-a-shot games and meet and greets, they were eager to see what magic the Miami front room would conjure after last season's lackluster performance, culminating in their 4-0 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round of the Eastern Conference Finals. And that magic came when the Miami Heat selected Kasparas Jakučionis. Now, fans are revved up and ready to go. Jakučionis — the freshman guard from the University of Illinois — was originally projected as a lottery pick, but fell to 20th on draft night when the Heat snagged him in its first-round selection. 'I'm feeling ecstatic because I didn't think Kasparas Jakučionis would be here,' said lifelong fan Kevin Cancelo. 'I think he could be a real difference-maker for the Heat. The playmaking ability that we don't have right now, I mean he's going to have an instant impact.' The Heat's 2024-25 season, and now offseason, has been anything but uneventful. First, there was the Jimmy Butler saga, which culminated in his early February trade to the Golden State Warriors after months of back-and-forth drama — and a very public breakup — between the six-time NBA All-Star and the Heat. 'The Jimmy Butler situation, to me, was handled the best way it could be handled, especially with a player of that caliber,' longtime fan Jonathan Montoya said. 'Everybody knows his attitude. We got what was good enough for us during that time.' Montoya said he has been a fan of the Heat since 2003, and he's hoping to see 'an upgrade' from the team this upcoming season. That upgrade could have come from the Heat's potential trade and acquisition of the 15-time NBA All-Star Kevin Durant, which Montoya said he thought would elevate the team and provide support to Heat leaders Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. The offer reportedly included Andrew Wiggins, Terry Rozier, Haywood Highsmith and Jaime Jaquez Jr., plus the 20th pick in Wednesday's NBA Draft. In the end, it wasn't convincing enough for the Phoenix Suns, who ended up trading Durant to the Houston Rockets. 'With Kevin Durant, I thought the front office could have pushed a little bit harder to get him, but you know, I'm happy we got to keep all the young assets and be able to keep the draft picks,' 14-year-old from Fort Lauderdale Brad Hochberg told the Miami Herald. Hochberg and his family have been season ticket holders since he was three years old. Now, things could be looking up for the Heat with their selection of Jakučionis. According to Jakučionis, who spoke to Miami media after his selection Wednesday night, he knows 'development is huge there [Miami], and I think I can pull a lot. Just help to make the team better, win as much as we can, and I'm ready to work.'
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Nets select yet another European playmaker in Ben Saraf at No. 26
Nets select yet another European playmaker in Ben Saraf at No. 26 | NBA Draft Live Yahoo Sports' Draft Live crew reacts to the Brooklyn Nets' selection of Ratiopharm Ulm guard Ben Saraf with the 26th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. View more Video Transcript The Nets look like they are making this selection with Adam Silver at the podium. Advertisement Ben Sarra, oh wow. Oh, Ben. No, that's 3, that's 3 guys who do similar things. All playmakers, all playmakers. It's kind of crazy because like they have no guards on the roster, so they're just throwing darts here see like one of these guys has to. one of these guys better be good. I'll tell you what with Sara, he is 6'5 and he wears the number 77, and I, I asked him during his media day Zoom interview that he did people during the international version of the draft combine. I said, Who do you like, who are the players you like? And he didn't. Luca and I was like, well you were number 77 you're like they're gonna be a guy that you model your game after because the way he decelerates in the lane, he is not Luca to be clear, but with Sara, he has a creativity off the dribble, his ability to get into the basket despite not being an elite athlete, his playmaking vision and his size. Advertisement He idolizes Luca for a reason and it's because of his size and because of his creativity and his shooting has improved this past year playing in Germany and with him I'm a fan of him. I had him ranked 22 on my board. Uh, I think he's played well in these playoffs for all they have. Chance to win the series. It's tied 22 games to 2 later this week. It's just a matter of what does the jumper become and what does he become defensively, but what does his body become, you know what I mean? What is he, does he, is he putting on weight or is he putting on Luca weight, you know what I mean? Like it's different. Advertisement You can put on weight or you can, yeah, no, I, I was actually gonna say this, that this is not only just 3 guards, but 3 guards from Europe, 3 European guards, 3 foreign guards, which is very, very interesting to me.
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Cooper Flagg Is Getting Roasted For His NBA Draft Suit
Cooper Flagg Is Getting Roasted For His NBA Draft Suit originally appeared on The Spun. Cooper Flagg is going to go No. 1 overall at the top of the 2025 NBA Draft on Wednesday night. Perhaps the Duke Blue Devils star can use some of his NBA contract money to find a better tailor. His NBA Draft suit is getting roasted. Advertisement The soon-to-be Dallas Mavericks star is getting roasted for his NBA Draft suit. While Flagg is rocking a classic look - dark blue suit with a white shirt and dark tie - the fit of his shirt looks pretty off. Fans of the 2025 NBA Draft are roasting Flagg for his Wednesday night fit. Cooper Flagg's NBA Draft fans are taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, to rip Flagg for his Draft Night suit. "That definitely looks like an 18 year old's dress shirt," one fan wrote. "Not dressing like an eccentric 75-year-old Italian grandmother at a wedding is a definite zag for a top draft pick," one fan added. Advertisement "This is legit an awful fitting lol does he not have the ability to get a different dress shirt?" another fan added. "Looks like he's going to prom in Maine suburb," another fan added. "Is it a conscious decision to make him wear a cheap looking suit and not style his hair? Part of his brand?" another fan added. Flagg might have found a new shirt ahead of his trip to the Barclays Center, because on the NBA Draft stage, his suit doesn't look that ill-fitting. The first round of the 2025 NBA Draft is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. E.T. on Wednesday night. It'll air on ESPN. Advertisement Cooper Flagg Is Getting Roasted For His NBA Draft Suit first appeared on The Spun on Jun 25, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
