Cedric Coward was set to transfer to Duke next season. Instead, he decided to stay in the 2025 NBA Draft and is rising up draft boards.
Before the 2025 NBA Draft, we’ll take an in-depth look at different prospects here at Liberty Ballers and try to figure out which players would be the best fit for the Sixers at Nos. 3 and 35. Next up in this series is Washington State’s Cedric Coward.
Cedric Coward isn’t a household name — yet. But among scouts and draft analysts, the Washington State wing has steadily become one of the more intriguing sleeper prospects in the 2025 class. After transferring up from Eastern Washington and flashing major growth in a small sample before a season-ending shoulder injury, Coward brings a unique mix of size, feel, and two-way versatility that could make him an ideal fit in a modern NBA system. While his résumé lacks the traditional blue-blood polish or big-stage exposure, his production, efficiency, and physical tools suggest there’s real long-term value to be unlocked.
With the Sixers owning picks at Nos. 3 and 35, Coward may be more realistically in play for the latter — but he offers the kind of developmental upside that smart teams target in the early second round (or even late first). Let’s take a closer look at what makes him such a compelling prospect and how he might slot into the Sixers’ future plans.
Profile
2024-25 Stats: 6 games, 33 minutes, 17.7 points, 7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 0.8 steals, 1.7 blocks, 56.5 FG%, 40 3P%, 83.9 FT%
Team: Washington State
Year: Senior
Position: G
Height and Weight: 6’5.25” (without shoes) and 213 pounds
Born: September 11, 2003 (21 years old)
Hometown: Fresno, California
Strengths
Cedric Coward is a smooth, versatile wing with a near 7-foot wingspan and a quietly diverse skill set that projects well in the modern NBA. Standing 6-foot-6, he plays with impressive poise and control, showing a mature feel for the game. He rarely forces shots or rushes decisions, instead relying on pace and patience to find high-quality looks. His efficiency stands out, and he brings a scoring package that is both polished and adaptable.
Coward is a high-level shooter with clean, repeatable mechanics and soft touch from multiple levels. He’s especially effective off the catch but has also shown comfort scoring off movement and pulling up from midrange. While he lacks elite burst or vertical explosion, he’s crafty off the dribble and uses long strides and strong footwork to generate space and finish. His length helps him finish through contact and over contests, making him an efficient interior scorer despite not being a traditional above-the-rim athlete.
As a passer, Coward flashes impressive vision and timing — particularly on the move. He’s capable of making smart reads within the flow of the offense, and there’s a clear upward trajectory in his playmaking comfort. He doesn’t need the ball to be effective, but when he does handle it, he makes quick, unselfish decisions that enhance team flow. That low-usage, high-impact profile is the hallmark of a plug-and-play wing in today’s NBA.
Defensively, Coward uses his length and anticipation to make consistent plays. He’s a disruptive help-side presence and a reliable shot contestor, averaging nearly one block per game throughout his college career — a notable mark for a wing. He’s also an active rebounder who tracks the ball well and contributes to team rebounding efforts. With a team-first mindset and the ability to impact both ends without dominating the ball, Coward profiles as an ideal role player who can thrive in a variety of systems and lineups.
Weaknesses
While Cedric Coward brings a well-rounded skill set, there are several areas of concern that could impact his NBA projection. Athletically, he’s not especially explosive — lacking the vertical pop or burst that helps many wings separate from defenders at the next level. He often scores within the flow of the offense but doesn’t consistently create paint pressure or blow by defenders in isolation. Without elite first-step quickness or elevation in traffic, Coward may struggle to generate his own looks against more physical or athletic NBA competition.
His offensive role projects more as a complementary connector than a lead creator. Although he flashes vision as a passer, his 2.2 turnovers per game reflect occasional decision-making lapses when tasked with too much playmaking responsibility. He’s best suited attacking off closeouts or working within structured sets, rather than orchestrating offense on his own. That limits some upside as a high-usage initiator and puts more pressure on his efficiency and versatility as a secondary option.
On the defensive end, Coward’s length helps him disrupt plays and make up ground, but his lateral quickness and overall foot speed remain areas for improvement — especially when switching onto quicker guards. He’ll need to continue refining his defensive fundamentals, particularly in recovery situations and closeouts. Additionally, he played in just six games during the 2024–25 season due to a season-ending shoulder injury, which leaves some uncertainty around his recent development and readiness. Combined with a Big Sky Conference résumé, scouts may question how well his game translates against NBA-level competition and athletes.
Potential Fit in Philly
Looking ahead to the 2025–26 season, the Philadelphia 76ers remain in a delicate balancing act: maintaining a competitive core around Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey, while gradually infusing youth, versatility, and depth into a top-heavy rotation. Cedric Coward offers a potential solution to several of the roster’s long-term needs — particularly on the wing, where size, length, and skill diversity have been inconsistently present.
At 6’6” with a near 7-foot wingspan, Coward fits the archetype of a modern complementary wing who can slot into various lineups without demanding the ball. His ability to play within structure — hitting open shots, keeping the ball moving, and defending multiple positions — makes him an intriguing developmental piece for a team that already has established offensive creators. In lineups alongside Maxey, Embiid, and perhaps another high-usage wing or forward, Coward’s low-maintenance, team-first style becomes a real asset.
From a developmental standpoint, he brings traits the Sixers have lacked in recent years: length on the perimeter, intuitive team defense, and two-way instincts that don’t require heavy touches. He could realistically grow into a 3-and-D role with connective passing upside — particularly valuable if the Sixers are looking to stagger their stars and rely more on depth in the regular season. His rebounding and weak-side rim protection also align well with Philly’s desire to improve their defensive versatility without sacrificing offensive spacing.
The main question comes down to timeline. Coward may not be ready to contribute immediately due to the combination of his recent injury and the transition from a mid-major conference. But in a developmental role — whether in Delaware with the Blue Coats or at the back end of Philly’s rotation — he presents intriguing upside as a multi-year investment. If the Sixers are serious about building out a two-way bench that can support their stars and stay malleable in playoff settings, Coward’s fit is more strategic than flashy. He won’t solve all their problems right away, but he addresses long-term needs in a way that makes sense moving forward.
Draft Projection
SB Nation mock draft: No. 17, Minnesota Timberwolves
Cedric Coward’s draft stock varies widely depending on the outlet — a reflection of both his unconventional path and the intrigue surrounding his skill set. Most mock drafts have him going somewhere in the first round, though some project him slipping into the early second. For example, The Ringer currently slots him just outside the lottery at No. 15 to the Oklahoma City Thunder. On the other end of the spectrum, NBADraft.net has him at No. 27 to the Brooklyn Nets, while Tankathon places him at No. 36 — again to Brooklyn — early in the second round. That level of fluctuation underscores the uncertainty around his draft range.
Part of the volatility stems from his background playing at a smaller school, where he faced less consistent competition than many of his peers. That context makes it tougher for evaluators to gauge how well his production will translate to the NBA level. Still, if a team is sold on his length, feel, and efficiency, there’s a real chance Coward hears his name called earlier than expected. He checks many of the boxes teams look for in long-term role players: shooting, defense, unselfishness, and positional versatility. With the right development environment, he could carve out a valuable complementary role in the league for years to come.