Washington State Transfer Cedric Coward Won’t Suit Up for Duke

Washington State Transfer Cedric Coward Won’t Suit Up for Duke, Stays in NBA Draft

Cedric Coward has officially decided to remain in the 2025 NBA Draft, choosing to pursue his professional dream over playing at Duke next season, he confirmed to ESPN on Saturday.

“This is the best shot for me to reach my dream of making the NBA,” Coward said. “Everything’s falling into place, and it feels like the right time to go all in.”

The 21-year-old senior spent last season at Washington State but appeared in just six games before a partially torn shoulder labrum ended his season and forced him to redshirt. Despite the early exit, Coward averaged 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 blocks, while shooting 40% from deep stats that turned heads among NBA scouts due to his impressive story, physical profile, and on-court productivity.

“The injury didn’t slow me down,” Coward said. “It actually sharpened my focus. I improved in areas I needed to, and that growth showed in my athletic numbers and shooting at the combine. I’m stronger all around now.”

Coward had entered the transfer portal and announced in late April that he was heading to Duke after an official visit, turning down offers from Alabama, Kansas, Washington, and Florida.

“Even though I’m staying in the draft, I chose Duke for a reason,” he said. “I felt like I was already part of the brotherhood. It was a tough decision, but after the combine, everything became clearer.”

He added, “Getting to the NBA has always been the goal. Even if I had played at Duke, it would’ve just been a step on that path. I feel ready now and I think the combine showed that.”

Coward’s draft stock has surged during the pre-draft process, transforming him from a fringe prospect into a projected first-round pick. He never suited up for Duke, but his strong momentum made the decision to go pro an easy one.

At the NBA Draft Combine, Coward measured a massive 7-foot-2¼ wingspan, recorded a 38½-inch max vertical, and hit 71% of his shots in shooting drills. He also hosted a well-attended pro day in Los Angeles, put on by Life Sports Agency, where he showed off his shooting range, athleticism, and stamina.

Coward’s journey is a remarkable one. He began at Division III Willamette in 2021, earning NWC Freshman of the Year. He then transferred to Eastern Washington, where he became a Big Sky First Team player under coach David Riley. When Riley took the Washington State job, Coward followed and was on track for another breakout season before his injury.

He’s still only 21, not turning 22 until Sept. 11, and NBA scouts are intrigued by his elite length, shooting touch, versatile defense, and late-blooming potential.

Projected as the No. 30 overall pick in ESPN’s latest mock draft, Coward will be cleared for full contact on June 14. He has already worked out privately for the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder, and seven more teams have watched him in Los Angeles.

“I definitely see myself getting drafted,” Coward said. “I just need one team to believe in me. The feedback’s been great. Some teams are playing it close to the vest, but that’s okay. Whether it’s a guarantee or not, there’s work to do. There are only 59 picks. If I’m blessed to be one of them—whether it’s No. 1 or 59 I’ll be ready. The key is finding the right team who’ll give me a real chance to show what I can do.”

The 2025 NBA Draft will take place June 25-26 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.