{"id":607576,"date":"2026-02-17T05:40:17","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T05:40:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/607576\/"},"modified":"2026-02-17T05:40:17","modified_gmt":"2026-02-17T05:40:17","slug":"grizzlies-cedric-coward-fearlessly-names-nba-player-who-put-me-in-a-box","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/607576\/","title":{"rendered":"Grizzlies\u2019 Cedric Coward fearlessly names NBA player who \u2018put me in a box\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Grizzlies\u2019 Cedric Coward fearlessly names NBA player who \u2018put me in a box\u2019<\/a> appeared first on ClutchPoints<\/a>. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He may not have entered the NBA with a lot of hype compared to his fellow rookies, but Memphis Grizzlies<\/a> forward Cedric Coward has been a pleasant surprise.<\/p>\n

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Coward, the 11th overall pick out of Washington State, has earned himself a role with his workhorse attitude, providing the Grizzlies with tenacity and toughness on both ends. He has started 35 games.<\/p>\n

The 22-year-old newcomer will only improve as he progresses, stating that the biggest lesson<\/a> he has learned so far is to \u201ckeep it simple.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI learned that when we played OKC (Thunder) at home. Last possession, (Alex) Caruso put me in a box. I was too complicated in what I was trying to do,\u201d said Coward on \u201cThe Kevin O\u2019Connor Show.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish I can get that moment back. I know I\u2019ll have that moment again, it might not be against Caruso, but I know the moment will come again.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added that he has learned to let the game come to him instead of forcing the issue. At a young age, Coward has a mature mindset, and battling experienced opponents like Caruso has made him understand the NBA more.<\/p>\n

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\u201cGet to your spot and get to what you\u2019re comfortable doing and not really worrying about what they\u2019re going to do,\u201d added Coward.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo for me, do not do anything crazy, and also, get the matchup I want. I\u2019d rather go against somebody else other than Caruso on that Thunder team.\u201d<\/p>\n

Coward was named among the Rising Stars<\/a> at All-Star Weekend, but he was unable to play due to a knee injury.<\/p>\n

He is averaging 13.3 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists.<\/p>\n

Related: Grizzlies\u2019 Cedric Coward scratched from NBA Rising Stars with injury<\/a><\/p>\n