Duke Basketball’s Chances of Securing Cedric Coward May Be Diminishing

Cedric Coward’s NBA Draft Decision Looms After Duke Commitment

Recent Duke basketball transfer commit Cedric Coward has until 11:59 p.m. ET on May 28 to withdraw from the NBA Draft as an early entrant and preserve his final year of NCAA eligibility. Given the rising buzz around the 6-foot-6, 190-pound four-star forward, it’s worth questioning whether the Blue Devils will ultimately see his high-octane style on their 2025–26 roster.

Coward began his college journey in 2021 as an unranked prospect from California at Division III Willamette. He then rose to prominence through standout stints at Eastern Washington and Washington State before announcing his commitment to Jon Scheyer and Duke earlier this week. That headline-making move may be fueling increased interest from NBA scouts and draft analysts.

In fact, ESPN’s top NBA Draft analyst, Jonathan Givony, has already traveled to Los Angeles to evaluate Coward firsthand, drawn in part by reports of Coward’s eye-catching 7-foot-2 wingspan during workouts.

Cedric Coward’s NBA Draft Clock Ticks After Duke Commitment

Duke basketball’s newest transfer commit, Cedric Coward, has until 11:59 p.m. ET on May 28 to withdraw from the NBA Draft and retain his final year of NCAA eligibility. As hype builds around the 6-foot-6, 190-pound four-star wing, there’s growing uncertainty over whether his dynamic game will ever suit up in Durham.

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Coward began his rise from obscurity in 2021 at Division III Willamette, eventually blossoming into a standout at Eastern Washington and Washington State. He announced his commitment to Jon Scheyer and the Blue Devils earlier this week—a high-profile decision that appears to have amplified interest from NBA scouts.

Among those taking notice is ESPN’s top NBA Draft analyst, Jonathan Givony, who recently traveled to Los Angeles to watch Coward in action. “Hard not to be impressed by the tremendous physical profile (huge hands…terrific frame) and budding skill level,” Givony wrote Thursday. “Crazy trajectory from D3 to possible 1st round pick in a span of 3 years.”

So far, Duke hasn’t landed any other transfer portal prizes this cycle. However, the Blue Devils are one of the few major programs that didn’t lose a single scholarship player to the portal—a stability that could prove invaluable regardless of Coward’s final decision.