Cedric Coward began his college basketball career at Willamette University in Oregon in the 2021-22 season. He became a journeyman, playing for four different teams so far in his five-year college career.
Coward looks poised to join the NBA as he is gearing up for the 2025 NBA Draft. With Coward’s stock rising, he seems like a surefire NBA Draft pick. This ultimately means his time in college basketball, where he played for the Duke Blue Devils, will end. So, let’s get to know the family of this NBA prospect.
Inside the Family of Cedric Coward
Coward’s parents are Shanel and Ray Moore. He grew up in Fresno, CA, and went to Central High School. His father is a professional drummer, and while we don’t know a lot about his mother publicly, we do know that she has been Coward’s rock for almost his whole life.
When Coward needed surgery for an injury he sustained, which turned out to be a jagged rotator cuff and a partially torn labrum. Shanel was by his side in Los Angeles through it all. She stood with him the whole week, from pre-op nerves to 1 a.m. pill reminders. “Even though I’m 6’6″ and 21 years old, I’m still her baby,” says Coward.
“I just wanted to ensure he was going to be okay, Shanel said. “I know that he has people around him and things like that, but there’s no type of care that you can get better than your mom’s care.”
She even record a video of him waking up after surgery. When Coward saw it, he realized just how long the road ahead was going to be. But he wasn’t crushed. His parents were there, and that made all the difference.
Ray, who was travelling for work, could be there in person. However, on the phone he was there. “That’s how he was raised,” Ray said as he saw his son calm, cool, collected, and ready to fight. Cedric soon adjusted to the new reality for the time being.
“The more I see it as just another obstacle, and less of one it feels like,” Coward said. The acceptance was his biggest factor in the recovery journey. It’s also worth noting that he fought through it all, and some of that credit for his strength and resilience goes to his grandfather, too.
You know, for all the talent Coward has, he might not be the most accomplished athlete in the family. It will always be Maxie Parks, Cedric’s grandfather. A Olympic gold medalist. Back in 1976, Parks ran the anchor leg in the 4×400-meter relay for Team USA in Montreal.
The baller grew up seeing Maxie almost every day. And that his granddad believed in hard work. At five, Coward caught his first fish with him, and Parks made him reel it in solo.
Later, they’d practice casting in the street from the back of a truck before heading out to real fishing spots. Preparation and repetition before actually jumping in were what Parks wanted to teach his grandson. And those lessons stuck.
KEEP READING: NBA Draft Prospect Cedric Coward Shares Frustration About All the Noise Associated With Duke
Now, Cedric’s carrying those values with him. With his name already climbing the ranks with a strong NBA Combine showing, expect to see Coward drafted this year and make his dream a reality. Now the only true question that remains is where will he go?
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
