Cedric Coward’s name is suddenly everywhere. And that is not just because of his rise as a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. The former Washington State guard turned into the headline of the season after the NBA Draft Combine. Coward showed a rare mix of grit and flash that scouts love. But while his draft stock climbs, so does the drama.
Coward committed to Duke in April, which was undoubtedly a big win for Jon Scheyer and company. But after the Combine performance, things are changing. This change could impact the Blue Devils massively. The Blue Devil is now at the centre of a tug-of-war between chasing his NBA dream and giving college ball one last ride in Durham.
Will Cedric Coward Be Returning to Duke?
The man himself made it clear this week that his eyes are fully on the draft, but the door to Duke isn’t shut. As Coward puts it, “I’m 100% focused on the draft.” So is Duke simply a fallback? Well, Coward cleared the air around that, too.
Cedric Coward on his looming decision to stay in the draft or go to Duke pic.twitter.com/DnQtPPehmp
— Blue Devils (@BlueDevils) May 14, 2025
Coward went on to add, “I’m talking to Coach Scheyer and the staff. I think I communicate pretty much everything with them as I gain information. And they’re 100% with me on my focus on the draft right now because this is my dream.” Evidently, the Blue Devils are still very much in the conversation. But that is only if the NBA doesn’t come calling loud enough.
When Coward was asked about what he needed to hear to stay in the draft, he chose not to drop a number or name. Instead, Cedric Coward simply said, “Honestly, I don’t have a specific thing I need to hear… I just know it’s a conversation with my agent that will help me decide, with the best information I have, for the best decision for me.” But it is not all smooth sailing in the Coward sea.
The internet has been speculating and wondering if Coward’s just using Duke for buzz, for clout, for draft leverage. And that’s where he drew the line. “It kinda sucks because people think like I’m using Duke for, you know, just the noise or whatever it may be,” Coward said, a bit of the frustration showing. “But I picked them, and I love Coach Scheyer and the staff for a reason.” And no doubt, Coward is making a clear point.
Duke, after all, had five players at the combine this year, a full starting lineup. Coward knows that kind of development pipeline doesn’t happen by accident. “You see what they did this year… I know that’ll help me if I go there too,” he added. So no, this does not seem like a facade created to keep the Blue Devils buzz alive. It’s a genuine decision he’s weighing, with Duke very much in the mix if he returns.
Why All the Buzz Around Cedric Coward?
Well, let’s get to the heart of the Cedric Coward story to answer the same. Coward’s journey is already something out of a utopian dream. He went from a Division III player at Willamette to a star at Eastern Washington.
Coward then went on to have a six-game flash at Washington State before a brutal shoulder injury benched him. And now, he is drawing Kawhi Leonard comparisons at the combine. Coward has sharp passing, smart movement, and is a smooth jumper. He is a 40% catch-and-shoot threat in college. Sure, he’s raw in places.
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Like, his handle needs some polishing. And Coward’s frame could use a few more pounds. But his skill cannot be debated. And with NBA teams giving him positive feedback, the momentum is real.
So, whatever decision he makes next, the basketball world will be watching. And watching closely!
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