The Memphis Grizzlies are 2-1 to start 2025-26, putting them at third in the Western Conference. As they have 79 more games and six more months remaining in the regular season, there’s a long road ahead of them. However, good starts can have an invaluable effect on the mindsets of players, coaches, front office members and fans alike. Playing well when missing multiple rotation players inspires confidence as well.
That being said, early in the 2025-26 season, the Grizzlies haven’t just generated good vibes. They’ve also shown that they have a dark horse (perhaps a dark wolf would be more accurate) challenger in the Rookie of the Year conversation: 2025 No. 11 pick Cedric Coward.
Do Grizzlies Have A Rookie Of The Year Challenger?
So far, Coward is averaging 19.0 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. He’s shooting 70.4 percent from the field, 72.7% from 3, and 91.7% from the free-throw line. He also has .329 wins shares per 48 minutes and a 15.2 box plus-minus.
Among his draft class, his scoring average ranks second behind only Philadelphia 76ers guard VJ Edgecombe (24.5 PPG), who had a sensational NBA debut. Among rookies averaging at least 10.0 points per game, his field goal percentage is second only to Charlotte Hornets center Ryan Kalkbrenner (92.3%), his free-throw percentage ranks fifth, and his 3-point percentage tops the list. Though his assist numbers aren’t exceedingly high, they still rank eighth in his draft class. Last but not least, his win shares per 48 minutes and box-plus minus are the top marks among rookies who have played at least 10 total minutes.
Cedric Coward’s Key To Winning ROY
From a statistical perspective, he may already be the early leader for Rookie of the Year. However, those looking at counting stats would likely be more enamored by Edgecombe’s (24.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 5.5 assists per game on .463-.375-.625 shooting splits). Washington Wizards guard Tre Johnson‘s career has gotten off to a smooth start, averaging 16.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game on .500-.500-.1000 shooting splits. New Orleans Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears is averaging 15.0 points in 23.5 minutes per game and shooting 66.7% from the field.
Heralded rookies Dallas Mavericks point-forward Cooper Flagg, San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper and Utah Jazz forward Ace Bailey haven’t really caught their stride yet. They’re all shooting below 40% from the field and 35% from 3. They also each have negative win shares per 48 minutes and box plus-minuses. With that being said, Coward would be hard-pressed to keep his field goal percentage or 3-point percentage above .700 all season. However, the key to him remaining in the ROY conversation will be efficient volume scoring and defensive efficacy.
The Last Word
Last season, the Grizzlies had two Rookie of the Year hopefuls. Neither 2024 No. 9 pick Zach Edey nor 2024 No.39 pick Jaylen Wells were able to capture the prestigious award. However, they both landed on the All-Rookie First Team. This same scenario could play out with Coward this season. Nevertheless, if he can outshine the most popular rookies for a few more months, he may become the third ROY winner in franchise history (joining Pau Gasol (2002) and Ja Morant (2020)).
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