When the NBA scheduled midseason games in Europe this year, some veterans complained about the extra miles and the toll it took on their bodies during a grueling campaign. Given their sacrifice to become the first team to land in Berlin, Tuomas Isalo’s unheralded Memphis Grizzlies could be forgiven for being one of the loudest voices. As it was, the schedule was brutal, and mounting losses led to the departure of Jaren Jackson Jr. Yet, for the confident Cedric Coward, the experience was far more important than the extra miles on his legs.

“It was cool. It was definitely a special experience. To be able to play the first game in Berlin, it was extremely special, especially as a newbie,” Coward told ClutchPoints. “It’s great for growing the game, giving us new experiences. People may have never been abroad before. That was my first time in Germany, so it was special. Getting a chance to connect with foreign fans.”

A transatlantic trip during the NBA season is no small ask, and the physical toll of additional travel is real. However, the 82-game grind can be somewhat monotonous, grinding in its own way. Given the shuttle schedule from airport to hotel to grounds and back, players could be forgiven for not actually remembering which city they are in. It’s not like MLB, where teams get a few days to explore a city. So Kayar is immersed in the culture, food, language and energy of living in a different part of the world.

On the business end, practices, media sessions and fan events created touchpoints with an audience that consumes the NBA at odd hours and remotely. For a young player who is still establishing his professional identity, that exposure matters.

Big picture, Seattle and Las Vegas are already on deck as the next expansion markets, with European cities also included as part of the league’s long-term vision. For a rookie still absorbing the professional lifestyle, the Berlin trip felt like a preview of what the league is becoming. Coward is no stranger to the international flavor that already defines the modern NBA.

“I’m used to it because we have so many international players,” Coward joked. “I played with teammates in college who were from Germany and Serbia, but at the same time, going out there and experiencing their culture, living in their world is definitely something special. You get to try new foods, you get to hear a new language all the time, see the way people move around, and get those street experiences that you can’t get here in the states.”

However, a player’s world can only get so big if he wants to reach All-Star status. That’s why this rookie also made it clear that his personal preparation will not be affected by this summer’s World Cup. While many Grizzlies took in some EPL games during the Euro trip, Coward plans to stick to his offseason workout regimen ahead of Summer League action. The globe may be hustling for a target in the background. Coward hopes to be playing on that kind of stage in just a few years, when NBA basketball expands beyond North America.

“I don’t really watch football that way,” Coward admitted. “I’m not a huge soccer fan, but at the same time, it’s exciting to see how big soccer is around the world. Hopefully, basketball can grow the same way around the world and be like soccer.”

This is a clear statement and instructive. The World Cup is perhaps the greatest example of a sporting event that transcends competition and becomes close to a cultural phenomenon. For the NBA and FIBA, it represents a benchmark for the kind of worldwide relevance basketball is actively pursuing. Trips like the one in Berlin are a step in that direction.

Getting quality minutes after years of watching from the sidelines has plagued Coward for the remainder of this season. Ja Morant is out for a few more weeks, but he has assured that the Grizzlies will not play in the postseason. Coward will soon have a new lottery-level partner to work with. Until then, finding some All-Rookie Team silver linings amid a losing season is the first step in getting the franchise back to the NBA Playoffs.