Si Cedric Coward, Sleeper Sa #10?

Ang Tahimik Na Bagyo Ay Lumaon

I admit ko: hindi ko alam si Cedric Coward bago last season. Pero nung nakita ko ang stats—hindi lang maganda, elite talaga sila. Sa anim na laro lang sa Washington State? 17.7 puntos, 7 rebounds, at halos apat na assist bawat game. At oo—may overperforming dahil sa volume (8.5 three-point attempts per 100 possessions), pero kung isama ang .557 FG%, .400 three-point clip, at .839 FT rate… wala nang noise dito.

Hindi lang siya sumasagwan—dominante siya sa mga bagay na hindi makikita sa standard box score.

Mula D-III Hanggang Draft Buzz: Blueprint ng Late Bloomers

Ang kuwento ni Coward parang script ng sports movie: ipinanganak sa Fresno, California; naglaro ng high school ball pero walang spotlight; tapos umunlad nang husto sa D-III Willamette University kasama ang 19.4 PPG at 12 RPG bilang freshman.

Hindi luck—raw talent na inilabas. Kanyang height? Mas malaki pa kaysa average na 6’6” with a freakish 7’2” wingspan, at mga kamay tulad ng tight end. Ibawas ang relentless motor at basketball IQ mula sa taon-taon ng pagpapalakas? Naiintindihan kung bakit siya umunlad kapag bigyan ng real opportunity.

Ngayon, narito ang mas interesante: samantalang naglaro lamang siya ng anim na laro dahil sa shoulder surgery, patuloy pa rin siyang tumataas sa mock drafts ng major outlets.

Bakit Dapat Tumingin Sa Kanyang Defense (at Space)

Sabihin ko nang diretso: Hindi pa siya elite defender—pero parang isa.

Ang kanyang defensive win shares per 48 minutes ay mataas pa kay 93% ng peer group, kahit limitado ang sample size. Ito ang gap between perception at reality—kung ano gusto ng scouts.

At narito ang sweet spot: kayang i-guard multiple positions nang hindi nakokontrol space—even runs transition parang gustong lumaban laban sa gravity (oo, may video). Ito ay rare combo: length + athleticism + spacing—ano man itong hinahanap ng modernong NBA team.

Hindi pa LeBron-level offensive—but don’t mistake lack of volume for lack of skill.

Ang Tunay Na Tanong: Kaya Niya Ba Mag-lead?

Dito bumabalik ang ilan pang analyst—is not because he can’t handle pressure—but dahil kulang pa kami ng data tungkol dito.

Ang college tape niya ay nagpapakita bilang efficient finisher at off-ball threat mas kaysa playmaker o primary scorer kapag isolated o pick-and-roll.

Pero marinig mo ito—he says he’s worked on it:

“Nagtutuunan ako ng katawan at isip para ma-stress moments… handa ako tumindig kapag tinawag.” — Cedric Coward (recent interview)

Kasama yung napunta mula D-III hanggang Pac-12 frontcourt star—I believe him.* The ceiling? Hindi lang rotation player material. With proper development time—especially around decision-making during pick-and-roll action—he has star potential. And again—a guy who averaged +9.3 net rating over just six games while hitting threes at near-league-average efficiency? That’s not fluke territory—it’s foundation-building territory.

Final Take: Value Over Certainty Sa #10?

In today’s draft landscape, where teams trade up for safe picks with limited upside… maybe it’s time to lean into risk? The value proposition is simple: The best sidearm thrower in college basketball has elite length, decent shooting range from deep, toughness on both ends—and hasn’t even reached full physical maturity yet. Picking him at #10 might feel bold—until you see how much room there is to grow.