Cedric Coward, a first-round lottery pick, and Javon Small and Jahmai Mashack, two second-round picks, were greeted with a raucous welcome to Bluff City on Friday as they made their way to FedExForum to meet with the Memphis Grizzlies.
In this year’s NBA Draft, the Memphis Grizzlies added more “dogs” to the squad, as expressed by general manager Zach Kleiman at the close of last season.
Jahmai Mashack, the 59th overall choice in the NBA Draft, stated, “I know what got me here and what works as far as winning, and I know that being a dog is number one on that list.” “Our job is to continue doing that and elevate upon that, so now instead of you calling us dogs, we’re the Memphis Grizzlies 2025 Draft class,” said Cedric Coward, a randomly selected class member.
With the eleventh overall selection, Washington State welcomed Cedric Coward, a collegiate career that started at the Division III level at Williamette University, continued for two years at Eastern Washington, and ended with a shoulder injury that limited him to six games last season.
Despite all the hard effort that has gotten him to this point, the real job begins now, as Coward admits no one could have scripted his journey. “I have so much room for improvement.
I just want to absorb up as much knowledge and practice my game to the best of my ability so that I can contribute to the team’s success. The hardest part, to be honest, is remaining. That is why I claim that being drafted only allowed me to accomplish half of my objective.
The other part of the story involves remaining put and leaving an impression on the city and the team alike. We need a victor, the city says.
“Winning is our number one priority, and that’s all that matters,” Coward stated. Javon Small, the 48th overall pick, had an unusual journey to the NBA as well.
He spent his first two years at East Carolina and then spent one at Oklahoma State. In his final year as a Mountaineer, he transferred to West Virginia and averaged 18.6 points, four rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game.
On a more personal note, I’ve never been selected first, second, or even third when playing with that chip on your shoulder. “I always feel like I have something to prove on the court.
If it means showing some emotion, yelling at people, getting a little rowdy, or going into dog mode, then that’s what I’ll do,” Small said. And then, with the final selection of the draft, the Grizzlies chose Jahmai Mashack, a former Volunteer from Tennessee.
Mashack was a top defender in the country and one of the winningest players in Rocky Top’s history.
Being the last choice in the draft has earned me the nickname “Mr. Irrelevant,” but I couldn’t be happier.
That is the source of my enthusiasm and motivation. I get a kick out of defying people’s expectations and proving them wrong.
They continue to be proven incorrect, while I continue to be proven right.
There is absolutely no doubt among many who know me and have witnessed my path at Tennessee that I will do whatever it takes to succeed and be the champion that I am capable of being,” Mashack stated.
On July 5th, in Salt Lake City, the Memphis Grizzlies will start playing in the NBA Summer League.
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