Not long ago, Duke lost its entire starting five to the NBA Draft. Soon after, the Blue Devils hit the transfer portal. And they made a bunch of wise decisions. In the process, they landed Cedric Coward, a sweet-shooting guard/forward from Washington State who averaged 17.7 points. Now that looks like a man tailor-made for a starring role in Durham.
After an official visit to Duke, Coward gave his verbal commitment. But as quickly as he walked in the door, he might be walking right back out. And that too without having ever worn the whites and blues. But why is that? After what happened at the NBA Combine, Cedric Coward’s following jersey might say NBA instead.
What Changed for Cedric Coward at the NBA Combine?
This Combine, Coward did not miss. His week in Chicago was everything the NBA needs. The 6’6 ½” wing put on an absolute clinic at the NBA Combine, finishing as the No. 7 overall shooter. He had 72% in shooting drills. But that’s not all.
Coward had 68% of his threes from deep. To make it even better, almost no one else did that. He stood toe-to-toe with some of the best shooters in the country and held his own. Coward comes with a 7’2” wingspan, huge hands, and a smooth jump that rarely clanks. With those kinds of stats, will he don the Blue Devils jersey this year?
NBA draft guru Jonathan Givony, talking about the same, took to X and wrote, “6’6 1/2 wing shot the ball well in drills (made 72% of his aggregate jumpers) and measured a 7’2 wingspan. Sounding increasingly unlikely he’ll step foot on campus in Durham.”
Footage of Duke-commit Cedric Coward at the NBA draft combine. 6’6 1/2 wing shot the ball well in drills (made 72% of his aggregate jumpers) and measured a 7’2 wingspan. Sounding increasingly unlikely he’ll step foot on campus in Durham. pic.twitter.com/rSkaylz5vE
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 15, 2025
It sounds like the Duke fandom might have to hold their celebrations a little longer. In fact, Givony is not the only one who thinks so.
247Sports’ Adam Finkelstein also went on to say, “Coward has helped himself more than anyone in Chicago. This is bad news for Duke. Sorry to break it, but Cedric Coward has some serious buzz.” And it might just be bad news.
According to Finkelstein, Coward has gone from an under-the-radar transfer to a legitimate first-round prospect in the span of a week. “Right now,” he said, “it looks like the NBA may be the favorite.” And it seems like Cedric Coward agrees.
Not so long ago, Cedric Coward addressed the press. During the same he went on to say, “I’m 100% focused on the draft.” And nobody can blame him for that. Coward, after all, was not always a possible first-round pick or even a Blue Devil pick.
Coward started his journey at Division III Eastern Washington State. And now, after the Combine, he stands shoulder to shoulder with names like Mark Sears, Chaz Lanier, Ryan Nembhard, PJ Haggerty, and others.
As Isaac Trotter of 247Sports rightly puts it, “It felt like Coward didn’t miss a shot during today’s drills… he might be playing his way into the first round.”
Cedric Coward was set to return alongside players like Isaiah Evans and Caleb Foster. Names that could have made Duke a top-five team yet again. The good news is, the decision won’t hang forever.
Coward has until May 28 to withdraw from the NBA Draft and retain his NCAA eligibility. But based on the response he has received and his own statement, the blue and white jersey might remain a dream.
KEEP READING: NCAA World Clamors For Cedric Coward After Duke Star Returns From NBA Draft Snub
For now, Blue Devil fans are in limbo, watching the Combine highlights and wondering if Cedric Coward was ever really coming to Durham.
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