Cedric Coward will forgo his Duke commitment and pursue an NBA career. Coward spent the last season at Washington State but was forced to redshirt following an injury. After the season, he entered the transfer portal and declared for the NBA Draft, committing to Duke while remaining in the draft. He has now decided to follow through with the draft.
Coward projected to be a first-round pick after a strong showing at the NBA Draft Combine. He was on track to be one of the top players in college basketball during the 2024-25 season before a shoulder injury ended his senior year after just six games.
How Does Cedric Coward’s Decision Affect Duke and Jon Scheyer?
Coward would have been a starter for the Blue Devils if he had followed through with his commitment due to his highly productive level before his injury. He averaged 15.4 points and 6.7 rebounds in 30.5 minutes per game as a junior and was 17.7 points, 7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and nearly two blocks before his injury in his senior year.
NEWS: Cedric Coward is keeping his name in the 2025 NBA draft and will forgo the opportunity to play at Duke next season, he told ESPN.
STORY: https://t.co/0S4EK3HoqK pic.twitter.com/sGqUhJYvGy
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 24, 2025
However, it seems Coward’s commitment to the NBA Draft will not impact Duke much, as Scheyer has already made moves in anticipation that Coward would remain in the draft. He had adjusted his plans after talks about Coward rising in draft boards started increasing.
In the last month, Duke secured the commitments of international prospect Dame Sarr and top-30 recruit Sebastian Wilkins. Sarr is expected to start on the wing for the Blue Devils, with Wilkins expected to provide frontcourt depth off the bench.
Sarr chose Duke over Illinois and Kansas and is projected to be a first round pick in 2026, while Wilkins reclassified from the 2026 recruiting class to join Duke, immediately adding to an already top-rated recruiting class.
KEEP READING: From Cooper Flagg to the Boozer Twins: Why 2025–26 Has To Be Duke’s Redemption Year
Projected 2026 lottery pick Cameron Boozer and his twin brother Cayden, along with Nikolas Khamenia, are the other recruits in Duke’s 2025 class. Isaiah Evans, Caleb Foster, Maliq Brown, Patrick Ngongba, and Darren Harris all return for the 2025-26 season, leaving Scheyer with a top 10 roster capable of competing on all fronts.
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