Cedric Coward was recognized as one of the significant risers during the NBA Draft Combine. With his stock reaching a peak, he has chosen to leave his final year of college basketball eligibility behind. Notably, he confirmed to ESPN his decision to remain in the NBA Draft pool, effectively solidifying the Duke Blue Devils’ roster for the upcoming 2025-26 season. Coward’s move stands out as a critical adjustment for Coach Jon Scheyer, who now faces the task of replenishing a considerable portion of his team after key players, including Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and Khaman Maluach, departed for the draft.

When Coward, ranked as the No. 13 prospect in the 2025 transfer portal, committed to Duke, there was speculation about whether he would ever step foot on the court for the Blue Devils. Ultimately, his choice to enter the draft has seemed inevitable as time progressed.

“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 improved his draft stock with impressive measurements and shooting displays during the combine, aligning himself with potential first-round selection prospects. He made headlines with a 38.5-inch vertical leap and recorded a wingspan of 7-foot-2.25, enhancing his profile after averaging 17.7 points and 7.0 rebounds during his season at Washington State. Having started his career in Division III, Coward demonstrated progress to the major college level, finishing the season with a 40% three-point shooting rate.

Coward’s decision influences Duke’s future, creating a greater dependency on freshmen’s contributions for the next season. Coach Scheyer intensified recruiting efforts during Coward’s surge in draft prospects, honing his class to the highest rank in the 247Sports team rankings after a commitment from four-star player Sebastian Wilkins.

In the previous season, Duke relied heavily on freshmen talents, which proved to be advantageous for Scheyer’s coaching journey. With Wilkins’ reclassification from 2026 to the 2025 class and the arrival of a highly touted three-player combo in Cameron Boozer, Nikolas Khamenia, and Dame Sarr, the Blue Devils prepare for another influx of elite young talent.

The recruiting achievements, including commitments from Wilkins and Sarr in consecutive days, appeared strategically timed amidst Coward’s anticipated exit. The overall talent influx curbs the potential impact of Coward’s decision to stay in the draft, maintaining Duke at the No. 9 position on CBS Sports’ Top 25 And 1 rankings.

Moreover, three leading scorers from the prior 2024-25 season will return, as Isaiah Evans, Caleb Foster, and Patrick Ngongba II gather their experience to guide the Blue Devils after their recent expedition to the Final Four.