Duke’s Transfer Gamble Turns to Gold? Unranked to First-Round Fame—Cedric Coward Poised to Ditch Blue Devils for NBA Glory Before Playing a Single Game
Durham, NC — In an unexpected twist to what initially looked like a major recruiting win for Jon Scheyer and the Duke Blue Devils, Cedric Coward—the team’s lone transfer portal pickup this offseason—may never suit up in a Blue Devils uniform. Why? Because the former zero-star high school prospect and Washington State wing is now projected as a first-round pick in the upcoming NBA Draft, just weeks after committing to Duke.
The stunning development was reported by The Athletic’s NBA Draft expert Sam Vecenie, who not only confirmed that Coward received an invite to the 2025 NBA Draft Combine in Chicago, but also listed him as a potential first-round selection at No. 29 overall to the Phoenix Suns in his latest mock draft.
From Overlooked to Overachiever
Coward’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Hailing from Fresno, California, the 6-foot-6 forward wasn’t recruited out of high school and began his college career at Eastern Washington, where he quickly turned heads with his elite athleticism and smooth mechanics. Over the past 38 games across his sophomore year and a brief junior stint—cut short due to injury—he has averaged 15+ points and over six rebounds per game.
Despite playing only six games this past season for Washington State, Coward’s flashes of brilliance were enough to draw NBA eyes. According to Vecenie, Coward’s workouts in Los Angeles last month solidified his rising stock, with scouts raving about his 7’1” wingspan, fluid athleticism, and effortless shooting form.
“Everything in the kinetic chain with Coward is perfect,” Vecenie wrote. “He’s the rare prospect who can do a little bit of everything with natural ease—jump shot, defensive switchability, transition play. He’s my bet to rise sharply into the first round.”
A Duke Dream in Jeopardy
Duke fans celebrated Coward’s portal commitment as a savvy move—a way to inject experience and scoring depth into a lineup already loaded with star freshmen like Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach. However, with Coward’s draft stock soaring, there’s a very real chance he’ll opt to remain in the NBA Draft and forego his remaining college eligibility entirely.
“Cedric Coward is the definition of a late bloomer,” said ESPN analyst Jay Bilas. “He committed to Duke to raise his profile. Mission accomplished—he might not need to step on the floor in Durham at all.”
This scenario, while disappointing for Duke, is emblematic of the ever-evolving nature of college basketball in the NIL and transfer portal era. Players like Coward now use high-profile program commitments as leverage to boost visibility, and in some cases, as a final stepping stone to the professional ranks.
What’s Next for Coward—and for Duke?
With the 2025 NBA Draft Combine around the corner, Coward has a golden opportunity to solidify his status as a first-rounder. If he impresses in Chicago, sources close to the player suggest he is likely to remain in the draft pool, making his commitment to Duke a symbolic one rather than a strategic roster move.
Meanwhile, Jon Scheyer and his staff must prepare for all scenarios. While losing Coward would be a blow to Duke’s experience level, the team still boasts a top-tier freshman class—including projected No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg—and seasoned returners like Tyrese Proctor and Mark Mitchell.
The Bigger Picture
Coward’s rapid ascent into first-round discussions underscores a broader trend in college basketball: the rise of under-the-radar players who blossom late and make swift leaps to the pros. His story also poses important questions about the future of the NCAA transfer system, where some players may now commit to top-tier programs not to play, but to showcase themselves for scouts on a national platform.
As for Cedric Coward, whether he wears a Duke jersey or a Phoenix Suns uniform next season, one thing is clear:
He’s no longer a zero-star prospect—he’s a rising star with the basketball world watching.
