A large swath of casual NBA fans may not know the name Cedric Coward. By this time next year, they almost certainly will. Especially—hopefully—Chicago Bulls fans, if a recent 2025 NBA mock draft comes to fruition.
The well-educated group of draft experts at No Ceilings released their V.8 Mock Draft via Substack on June 11, and that crew gave Chicago a best-case-scenario selection with Coward at No. 12, even putting him ahead of the commonly mocked Collin Murray-Boyles and quickly rising Noa Essengue (who wouldn't be a bad consolation prize if that's how things play out in the first round on June 25).
Cedric Coward's 2025 NBA Draft profile
Cedric Coward's long and winding road to the 2025 NBA Draft began at the Division III level with Willamette. He transferred to Eastern Washington for two seasons before ending up at Washington State last year. Unfortunately, his time in Pullman didn't last long as the Fresno native went down with a season-ending shoulder injury after only six games.
Hence, Coward's absence from the common draft lexicon.
But the 21-year-old, who has eerily similar physical measurements to one Kawhi Leonard, came into his own as a junior in 2023-24, averaging 15.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.9 stocks (steals plus blocks) on his way to being named to the All-Big Sky Team with the Swoops.
He was on his way to breaking out on the national scene last year, posting averages of 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 2.5 stocks with shooting splits of 56/40/84. Would those numbers have dipped across a season-long sample size? Maybe. But the idea of a drooled-over NBA archetype is plain to see.
Coward measured in at 6-foot-5 ¼ without shoes and 213 pounds with an uncommonly large 7-foot-2 ¼ wingspan and an 8-foot-10 standing reach at the combine in Chicago. He hit 23 of his 30 shots off the dribble and went 18-for-25 on spot-ups. He was 14-for-23 from the corner and 9-for-10 from the free-throw line.
Coward is the perfect prospect for the Bulls at No. 12
Coward moves like a true NBA wing. He's a lanky, graceful player who goes hard on both sides of the ball. He seems to have an empty-less gas tank. His smooth movement skills and wingspan point to a versatile defender capable of defending most guards and wings. If he can get stronger, he should be capable of guarding 1 through 4.
What's most attractive about Coward is his shooting stroke. It looks smooth and effortless. His 3-point volume jumped from 1.0 to 4.2 as a junior, yet he knocked down 38.3 percent of those triples. He was on course to do the same before his injury last year, when he was shooting 40.0 percent on 5.0 attempts per game.
Coward isn't the most athletic prospect in the draft. He's not the most explosive or quick-twitch, either. But what he does well is what the Bulls should be craving with their current roster.
He profiles as an ideal 3-and-D wing capable of knocking down a high-percentage from deep, both off the catch and off the dribble. He keeps the ball moving in the half court and often makes the right reads and decisions, even if he won't be a high-usage playmaker.
Chicago needs a wing to develop, and Coward fits the bill. His shooting accuracy would be useful alongside (presumably) Josh Giddey and Coby White in the half-court as a floor spacer and someone who can knock down open shots. He's athletic enough to run the floor in the Bulls' up-tempo game, find his spots and knock down threes in transition.
He's versatile enough on both sides of the ball to fit multiple lineups. He can play on the wing next to Matas Buzelis or as a jumbo guard. His massive wingspan would allow him to play as a small-ball four in certain situations. And whatever spot head coach Billy Donovan throws him in on offense, Coward will be able to handle his own against his matchup on the defensive end.
Coward could very well be the steal of this summer's draft. The Bulls should make it happen.