Duke: Cedric Coward speaks out on choosing between NBA or going to Duke as decision looms large

Cedric Coward is opening up about his basketball future. The Duke transfer - who has declared for the NBA draft - has until June 15 to remain in the pool or withdraw and spend next season with the Blue Devils. Sports Illustrated reporter Kevin Sweeney shared Coward's recent quote about his plans on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.

“I’m 100% focusing on the draft," Coward said. "At the end of the day, the decision I make is going to be based on the information I get. Right now, the information is definitely leaning towards staying in the draft but at the end of the day, we gotta figure out the best decision to make for myself and my family as I go forward.”

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Cedric Coward gave the quote at a press conference at the NBA draft combine, which began on Sunday and lasted one week in Chicago. The event measures the physical attributes and athletic skills of NBA draft prospects.

The Blue Devils guard mentioned that "the information is definitely leaning towards staying in the draft," suggesting that the combine is going well for him. 247 Director of Scouting Adam Finkelstein confirmed that Coward stands out at the combine.

"Coward has helped himself more than anyone in Chicago," Finkelstein said Tuesday. "This is bad news for Duke. Sorry to break it, but Cedric Coward has some serious buzz."

At the NBA combine, Cedric Coward measured 6-foot-5.25 without shoes. He is 213 pounds and has a 7-2 wingspan. Information about the guard's skill assessments will be available as the week progresses. Still, the combine seems to be boosting Coward's draft stock, making a return to college basketball seem unlikely.

Cedric Coward's NBA-ready skill set

Cedric Coward is versatile and efficient, with a sharp-shooting wing to set up shots effortlessly. With a strong combine and workout performance, Coward could be a first-round pick in the 2025 NBA draft.

After a standout junior season at Eastern Washington, Coward transferred to Washington State for his senior year. However, he appeared in six games before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury.

Cedric Coward in action for Washington State against Eastern Washington. (Credits: IMAGN)

Despite a severely shortened senior campaign, Coward highlighted his multifaceted skill set:

17.7 points
7.0 rebounds
3.7 assists per game
1.7 blocks
0.8 steals per game
Shooting 55.7 percent from the field
Shooting 40.0 percent from beyond the arc

Cedric Coward is a talented all-around player who is making his mark ahead of the NBA draft. While he could be a major contributor to Duke next season, it seems more likely that he will begin his professional career this fall.

About the author

Lindsey Ware is a college sports journalist at Sportskeeda with over five years of experience working with publications such as The News & Observer, The Daily Tar Heel, Triangle Tribune and Cardiac Cane. She has also worked for Major League Baseball, The Holly Springs Salamanders, The Tri-City Chili Peppers, Tuffy Talk, Super Meteors Basketball, Just Good Network and Living Sport.

Lindsey has a Bachelor’s Degree in Media and Journalism from UNC Chapel Hill. Her education allowed Lindsey to gain experience in sports communication, which she honed in internships. Other than being a storyteller and sports fanatic, Lindsey is also a social media and marketing specialist.

Her favorite college team is UNC, although she grew up a N.C. State fan as both of her parents are Wolfpack alumni. Michael Jordan was a huge deal in North Carolina when Lindsey was growing up, and after a summer spent at UNC’s Sports Journalism Camp back in high school, Lindsey was set on being a Tar Heel.

Lindsey's favorite college coach of all time is Roy Williams. During her time attending UNC Chapel Hill and writing for The Daily Tar Heel, Lindsey was lucky enough to meet and speak with Williams a few times. He was like a celebrity on UNC’s campus and was beloved for his coaching style and success with the Tar Heels, accumulating three NCAA championship titles in 18 years.

When not watching or writing about sports, Lindsey enjoys reading, trying new restaurants and coffee shops, and spending time with my friends, family and dog. She also likes to journal, watch movies and paint.

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Edited by William Paul