Went to see recent-Duke commit Cedric Coward in LA. Hard not to be impressed by the tremendous physical profile (huge hands, 7’2 wingspan, terrific frame) and budding skill level. Crazy trajectory from D3 to possible 1st round pick in a span of 3 years. pic.twitter.com/IUY0uT1Kl9
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 1, 2025
The Duke Blue Devils made their first roster splash of the offseason earlier this week when Washington State guard Cedric Coward committed to the program.
The 6-foot-6 star averaged 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists in six games with Washington State last season, so he should slot into the Blue Devils starting five pretty effortlessly as head coach Jon Scheyer attempts to replace his entire lineup, but there’s a small chance he doesn’t end up in Durham at all.
Coward declared for the NBA draft when he announced his intention to enter the transfer portal, and he emphasized in his Duke announcement that he would continue going through the draft process to speak with professional scouts and see where his stock sits. The most likely outcome remains that Coward withdraws his name and heads back to school, but he’s certainly raised eyebrows during the scouting process.
On Thursday morning, ESPN analyst Jonathan Givony took to X (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter) to share his take on the newest Blue Devil, and the Cameron Crazies should be bullish on their potential 2025-26 star.
“Hard not to be impressed by the tremendous physical profile (huge hands, 7’2 wingspan, terrific frame) and budding skill level,” Givony wrote. “Crazy trajectory from D3 to possible 1st round pick in a span of 3 years.”
Coward began his collegiate career at Willamette, a Division III school, and he spent one season there before transferring to Eastern Washington. If he plays at Cameron Indoor Stadium next fall, his ascent through the NCAA ranks should be one of the most inspiring stories in the nation.