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# Ex-Cougars Shining in NBA Summer League Circuit
- URL: https://www.emeraldcityspectrum.com/washington-state-cougars-shining-nba-summer-league-circuit/
- Published: 2026-07-08T19:10:28.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-08T06:14:13.000Z
- Author: Jacob Stevenson
- Tags: News, Cougars Men's Basketball, Cedric Coward, Isaac Jones, NBA Summer League

\[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="3541"\]

![  Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) drives to the basket as Cleveland Cavaliers guard Tyrese Proctor (24) defends during the second quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images  ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/1d/f2/1df2f77b-83dd-4bc0-a6d2-6d1bb5df89a3/content/images/2026/10/2026-04-07t012421z_424126354_mt1usatoday28672399_rtrmadp_3_nba-cleveland-cavaliers-at-memphis-grizzlies-jpg-format-original.jpg)

Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) drives to the basket as Cleveland Cavaliers guard Tyrese Proctor (24) defends during the second quarter at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images \[/caption\]

The NBA Summer League is underway, giving fans their first look at many of the league's newest players while also providing young veterans an opportunity to continue their development.

This summer, two former Washington State Cougars will be competing on the NBA stage in Cedric Coward with the Memphis Grizzlies and Isaac Jones with the Detroit Pistons.

While the NBA's premier Summer League takes place in Las Vegas beginning Thursday, July 9, there were two smaller events that tipped off beforehand: the Salt Lake City Summer League and the California Classic Summer League. The Salt Lake City Summer League features four teams, while the California Classic includes teams playing in Sacramento and the Bay Area. Unlike the Las Vegas Summer League, which runs over 10 days and includes all 30 NBA franchises, the smaller events last only three days.

Coward and the Grizzlies participated in the Salt Lake City Summer League, where the former Cougar made an immediate impact. In two games, Coward averaged 17 points and 4.5 rebounds, showcasing the scoring ability that helped make him one of the NBA's top rookies last season for Memphis.

Coward is not expected to play the entire Summer League schedule, as many established second-year players only appear in a few games before teams shift their focus to evaluating rookies and players competing for roster spots. After an outstanding rookie campaign, Memphis already has a good understanding of what Coward can bring to the organization.

During the 2025-26 NBA season, Coward earned First Team All-Rookie honors after averaging 13.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. He also shot 47.1% from the field and 33.8% from three-point range while finishing fifth in the NBA Rookie of the Year voting. His performance solidified him as one of the league's promising young wings and an important piece of the Grizzlies' future.

Jones will also be looking to build momentum this summer as he suits up for the Detroit Pistons in Las Vegas. Jones was claimed off waivers by Detroit on November 6 after beginning the season with the Sacramento Kings. He appeared in four games for the Pistons during the 2025-26 season after playing in three contests with Sacramento before eventually earning a two-way contract on February 10.

Although Jones saw limited NBA action, he excelled in the G League with the Motor City Cruise. In 29 regular-season games, he averaged 22.2 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.0 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game. Playing in Summer League presents another chance to prove he deserves a larger NBA role with one of the Eastern Conference’s best teams.

Both Coward and Jones have taken different paths to reach this point in their professional careers, but each represents Washington State well on the NBA stage. Coward entered the summer looking to build on an impressive rookie season, while Jones hopes to turn a productive year in the G League into a more permanent spot with Detroit. For Cougar fans, the NBA Summer League provides another opportunity to watch the two former standouts continue chasing successful careers at the highest level of basketball.