With the Memphis Grizzlies nearly at the halfway point of the 2025-26 season, forward Cedric Coward isn’t worried about hitting the so-called “rookie wall” this year.
Coward is averaging 14 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists while shooting 34.3% from 3-point range in 37 appearances with the Grizzlies. He is fifth among all first-year players in scoring and is tied for second in double-doubles (6).
Advertisement
The 11th pick tallied 17 points, three rebounds, two assists and two blocked shots in his latest outing on Thursday in a loss to the Orlando Magic in Berlin, Germany. Afterward, Coward was asked if he was potentially worried about slowing down on the court.
“I only fear God,” Coward said, via Marta Kiszko on X. “The rookie wall is one of those things where if it comes, it comes; if it doesn’t, it doesn’t. I just try to take it one game at a time, one practice at a time. Just try to keep my consistent routine. People always tell me: ‘The greatest players are the ones that are consistently good.’ For me, it is just trying to be as consistent as possible and learn from my mistakes.”
Coward has started the past 24 games for the Grizzlies, emerging as a key player on both ends of the court. He has already showcased his versatility and poise at a high level, enabling him to deliver productive outings for the group on a nightly basis.
Advertisement
The 22-year-old recently became only the fifth rookie in franchise history to record at least 25 points and 15 rebounds in a game, joining the likes of Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol and Shareef Abdur-Rahim. He is one of three rookies with at least 15 rebounds in a game this season.
Coward has fit in well with the Grizzlies through the first half of the season and has earned the trust of his teammates and coaches. He has stepped up amid a chaotic year and is looking to bring consistent production over the rest of the year.
This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Grizzlies news: Cedric Coward kept it real about the rookie wall