Memphis Grizzlies rookie forward Cedric Coward has been named a finalist for the 2025-26 NBA Hustle Award, the league announced Thursday. The award, established in 2017, celebrates players whose effort plays—think deflections, loose balls, charges drawn, screen assists, contested shots, and box outs—often go unnoticed in traditional stat lines but are crucial to winning games. Unlike most NBA honors, this one isn't decided by media vote; it's based on a statistical formula that tracks these hustle metrics, which have been recorded since the 2016 postseason.

Coward finished fourth in the voting, with Charlotte Hornets forward Moussa Diabaté taking the top spot. But for a rookie, this recognition is a big deal. In 62 games this season, Coward averaged 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists, shooting 33.8% from three-point range. He ranked sixth among rookies in scoring and, impressively, 11th overall in the league in loose balls recovered, with 55.

The 22-year-old, selected 11th overall in the draft, made history on December 30 when he became only the fifth rookie in Grizzlies franchise history to post at least 25 points and 15 rebounds in a single game—joining legends like Pau Gasol, Marc Gasol, and Shareef Abdur-Rahim. He was also one of just five rookies this season with multiple 15-rebound games, showcasing his versatility and tenacity on the glass.

Starting 47 games, Coward emerged as a key contributor for Memphis, consistently delivering productive outings and proving his all-around value. This hustle award finalist nod is a fitting cap to a breakout rookie campaign that has fans and analysts alike excited about his future.