{"id":55398,"date":"2025-05-25T09:22:13","date_gmt":"2025-05-25T09:22:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/55398\/"},"modified":"2025-05-25T09:22:13","modified_gmt":"2025-05-25T09:22:13","slug":"ex-wsu-cougars-guard-opts-for-nba-draft-over-duke-transfer","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/55398\/","title":{"rendered":"Ex-WSU Cougars guard opts for NBA Draft over Duke transfer"},"content":{"rendered":"

SEATTLE (AP) \u2014 Former WSU Cougars guard Cedric Coward, who initially intended on transferring to Duke, will instead keep his name in the 2025 NBA Draft, he told ESPN on Saturday<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Coward averaged 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists in six games for the Cougars last season before his year ended prematurely due to a partially torn shoulder labrum<\/a>. The 6-foot-6 Coward shot 40% from 3-point range in his six games at WSU and scored a season-high 30 points in a win over Northern Colorado.<\/p>\n

Coward, 21, began his collegiate career at Division III Willamette in Oregon in 2021. He then transferred to Eastern Washington, where he spent two seasons and was a first-team All-Big Sky selection in 2024. Last spring, he followed former Eastern Washington coach David Riley to WSU.<\/p>\n

Coward entered the transfer portal last month and initially committed to Duke. But after a strong showing at the NBA combine this month, his plans have changed.<\/p>\n

The Fresno, California, native is the projected No. 30 overall pick in ESPN\u2019s latest mock draft<\/a>. The NBA Draft is June 25-26.<\/p>\n

CEDRIC COWARD DOIN\u2019 WORK\u2757\ufe0f#GoCougs<\/a> \/\/ #AgainstTheGrain<\/a> \/\/ #WheatfieldUnderdogs<\/a> \ud83c\udf3e pic.twitter.com\/KwoY18rSKi<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Washington State Men\u2019s Basketball (@WSUCougarsMBB) November 19, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n

Seattle Sports staff made additions to this post.<\/p>\n

Pac-12 announces 2025 TV deal, including new Apple Cup home<\/a><\/p>\n

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