Bad News for Duke? Cedric Coward’s NBA Draft Stock Is Skyrocketing — and He Might Not Be Headed to Durham After All
Duke basketball fans might want to brace themselves. What was once considered a major offseason win could now be slipping through their fingers. Cedric Coward, the highly touted transfer from Washington State, who recently pledged to Duke, is turning heads not in Cameron Indoor Stadium just yet, but at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago.
And according to multiple national analysts, his performance has been nothing short of pro-worthy.
From vertical leaping to smooth shooting mechanics and explosive agility, Coward is checking nearly every box for NBA scouts. The 6-foot-6 guard with a jaw-dropping 7-foot-1 wingspan posted a 38.5-inch max vertical leap, shot the ball well in drills, and showed flashes of a complete, NBA-ready package.
“Buy stock now in Cedric Coward,” wrote NBA TV’s Krysten Peek, echoing a sentiment that’s gaining serious traction in Chicago. “He’s currently committed to Duke… but could rise quickly in the draft after this week.”
That’s the twist Duke wasn’t hoping for.
Coward came into the portal as one of the more versatile two-way players available. After a strong season at Washington State and a proven track record from Eastern Washington before that his commitment to Jon Scheyer’s Blue Devils was a promising signal for a reloaded roster. But now, with Coward soaring up NBA Draft boards, his future in Durham is in question.
“Maybe someone who’s helped themselves more than anyone so far in Chicago,” said 247Sports Director of Scouting Adam Finkelstein during a live segment from the Combine. “Duke, this is bad news sorry to break it to you but Cedric Coward has got some serious buzz right now… He looks like he is trending toward being a potential first-round pick.”
That kind of buzz changes everything. While Coward has until May 28 to make his decision final, the clock is ticking and the NBA seems to be calling louder than ever.
It’s now a classic college basketball cliffhanger: Duke or the Draft?
And for Jon Scheyer and the Blue Devils’ faithful, it might just be one heartbreak away from becoming the biggest offseason what-if in recent memory.
Stay tuned.
Leave a Reply