Cedric CowardCedric Coward (Photo Credits: Imagn)
What could possibly go wrong with a newly drafted basketball player? Joy, cheers, tears, and sometimes F-bombs, but getting mispronounced would never be on the list unless you are Cedric Coward.

During the 2025 NBA Draft on June 25, the Portland Trail Blazers drafted Coward as the 11th overall pick. Soon after, they traded him to the Memphis Grizzlies.

But things took a quirky turn when ESPN’s Malika Andrews accidentally announced Coward’s name as Colin Cowherd.

This little mix-up sent social media into a frenzy, and before long, Cowherd was trending on X (formerly Twitter). Not one to miss a chance to jump on the bandwagon, Cowherd jumped on the platform with a couple of light-hearted posts.

He even shared a photo of himself in a Trail Blazers jersey, joking that while he appreciates Memphis, being a part of the Blazers would have been “epic.”

In the deal, the Grizzlies sent their No. 16 overall pick, a 2028 first-round pick from the Orlando Magic, and two second-round picks to Portland to secure Coward. It just goes to show that the NBA draft is as much about the players as it is about some little fumble.

Cedric Coward Looks Promising Prospect For Grizzlies

Cougars guard Cedric Coward (Photo Credits: Imagn)
Despite the fumble from the ESPN announcer, Cedric Coward looks nothing short of a phenomenal rookie. Additionally, for the third year in a row, a former Washington State Cougar has made it to the NBA Draft.

This makes Coward the highest-drafted player from WSU since Klay Thompson, who also went eleventh overall to the Golden State Warriors back in 2011.

Standing 6’5″ and weighing 213 pounds, Cedric hails from Fresno, California. He started his college journey at Willamette University, a Division III school, where he made a mark as the Northwest Conference Freshman of the Year.

After that, he transferred to Eastern Washington University and earned a spot on the Big Sky first team All-Conference list.

Before the 2024 season, Coward made another move to WSU to play for coach David Riley. Unfortunately, his season was cut short by a shoulder injury after just six games. But during those games, he showed what he could do, averaging 17.7 points, seven rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game.