Memphis Grizzlies wing Cedric Coward was named NBA first-team All-Rookie on May 20.
Coward joins Zach Edey, Jaylen Wells and Ja Morant as current Grizzlies to receive that distinction. Memphis players have earned All-Rookie honors in five of the past seven seasons, with seven total players making a team.
Advertisement
Even as the Grizzlies’ record declined in the second half, Coward maintained his impact. He finished the season averaging 13.6 points and 5.9 rebounds in 62 games.
1 / 28
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Mar 7, 2026; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
1 / 28
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Mar 7, 2026; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Clippers at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
2 / 28
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Jan 26, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) blocks a shot from Houston Rockets forward Tari Eason (17) during the third quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images
(Erik Williams, Erik Williams-Imagn Images)
3 / 28
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward (23) shoot the ball as Hawks’ Luke Kennard (4) guards him during the game between the Memphis Grizzlies and Atlanta Hawks at FedExForum on January 21, 2026.
(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
4 / 28
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Jan 11, 2026; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) reacts during the fourth quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
5 / 28
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Grizzlies’ Ja Morant (12) and Cedric Coward (23) high five in a timeout during the game between the Milwaukee Bucks and Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on December 26, 2025.
(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
6 / 28
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Memphis Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward (23) reacts after making a shot against the Utah Jazz during a game on Dec. 12, 2025 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
(Stu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal)
7 / 28
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Memphis Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward (23) attempts a lay up against the Utah Jazz during a game on Dec. 12, 2025 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
(Stu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal)
8 / 28
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Dec 7, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) dunks during the first quarter against the Portland Trail Blazers at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
9 / 28
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Dec 7, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe (17) drives to the basket as Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) defends during the second quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
10 / 28
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Dec 5, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) drives to the basket between Los Angeles Clippers forward John Collins (20) and guard Kris Dunn (8) during the first quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
11 / 28
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Nov 30, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Cedric Coward (23) after a play agains the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
(Kelley L Cox, Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images)
12 / 28
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Nov 30, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Cedric Coward (23) drives in against Sacramento Kings forward/center Drew Eubanks (19) during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
(Kelley L Cox, Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images)
13 / 28
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Nov 26, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) reacts after drawing a foul in overtime against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
(Matthew Hinton, Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images)
14 / 28
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Nov 24, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) dribbles as Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) and forward Cameron Johnson (23) defend during the third quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
15 / 28
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Nov 24, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) passes the ball as Denver Nuggets guard Peyton Watson (8) defends during the first quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
16 / 28
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Nov 15, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) loses the ball beside Cleveland Cavaliers forward De’Andre Hunter (12) in the first quarter at Rocket Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
(David Richard, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
17 / 28
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Nov 12, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) drives between Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7), forward Sam Hauser (30) and center Luka Garza (52) during the second quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
(Winslow Townson, Winslow Townson-Imagn Images)
18 / 28
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Nov 9, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) shoots as Oklahoma City Thunder forward Brooks Barnhizer (23) defends during the third quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
19 / 28
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Nov 7, 2025; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) shoots the ball against Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) during the second quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images
(Petre Thomas, Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)
20 / 28
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward (23) drives to the basket as Rockets’ Alperen Sengun (28) guards him during the game between the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on November 5, 2025.
(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
21 / 28
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Rockets’ Kevin Durant (7) drives to the basket as Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward (23) guards him during the game between the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum on November 5, 2025.
(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
22 / 28
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward (23) passes the ball during the game between the Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn., on November 3, 2025.
(Chris Day/The Commercial Appeal)
23 / 28
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Nov 2, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) controls the ball as Toronto Raptors guard Gradey Dick (1) tries to defend during the third quarter at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
(Nick Turchiaro, Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images)
24 / 28
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Nov 2, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) controls the ball as Toronto Raptors guard Ja’Kobe Walter (14) tries to defend during the second quarter at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
(Nick Turchiaro, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
25 / 28
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Memphis Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward (23) looks to make a play against the Los Angeles Lakers during a game on Oct. 31, 2025 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
(Stu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal)
26 / 28
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Memphis Grizzlies’ Cedric Coward (23) attempts a shot against the Los Angeles Lakers’ Deandre Ayton (5) during a game on Oct. 31, 2025 at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn.
(Stu Boyd II-The Commercial Appeal)
27 / 28
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Cedric Coward arrives before the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
(Brad Penner, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
28 / 28
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies rookie, first-round pick in 2025 NBA Draft
Jun 25, 2025; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Cedric Coward stands with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the 11th pick by the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
(Brad Penner, Brad Penner-Imagn Images)
Rookie of the Year Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and VJ Edgecombe were all unanimous selections by the 100 voters. San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper received 93 first-team votes.
The race for the fifth and final spot was tight. Coward had 29 first-team votes; Sacramento center Maxime Raynaud received 26; New Orleans guard Jeremiah Fears 17; and Pelicans center Derik Queen 16. Coward received 125 total points; Queen and Raynaud each had 110.
Coward was taken with the No. 11 pick in the 2025 draft. The Grizzlies traded up from No. 16 to acquire him. He is now in position to be one of the franchise’s cornerstone players moving forward.
Advertisement
Damichael Cole is the Memphis Grizzlies beat writer for The Commercial Appeal. Contact Damichael at damichael.cole@commercialappeal.com. Follow Damichael on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DamichaelC.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Cedric Coward named to NBA All-Rookie first team for Memphis Grizzlies