Duke transfer Cedric Coward staying in 2025 NBA draft

Cedric Coward, a Washington State standout who had committed to play for Duke, will keep his name in the 2025 NBA draft.

A 6-foot-6 guard from Fresno, California, the 21-year-old Coward played just six games last year at Washington State before a partially torn shoulder labrum required season-ending surgery. He averaged 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.7 assists before the injury, while shooting 40 percent from 3-point range.

"This is the best opportunity for me to achieve part of my dream, which is making the NBA," Coward told ESPN. "Everything is pointing in the right direction right now to follow that."

Coward began his career at Division-III Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, where he recorded 19.5 points and 12.0 rebounds while hitting 45.3 percent of his 3-pointers.

He then transferred to Eastern Washington, earning First-Team All-Big Sky honors in his second season for the Eagles. In two years at Eastern Washington, Coward averaged 11.3 points and 6.1 boards.

After entering the transfer portal following his shortened season at Washington State, Coward announced his intention to play for Duke, selecting the Blue Devils over Alabama, Kansas, Washington and Florida.

Strong showings at both the NBA draft combine and his pro day led analysts to project Coward as a late first-round pick in June.

"This was a difficult decision at first, but after the combine, it became a lot easier with the path I wanted to take," Coward said.

"This was always the main goal. Even if I went to Duke, it would have been in order to get to this level. I feel like I am ready. It didn't hurt that I did pretty well at the combine."

--Field Level Media