Former Washington State standout Cedric Coward is heading to Durham. The 6-foot-6 small forward announced Monday on Instagram that he’s committed to Duke University, while also keeping his name in the 2025 NBA Draft pool.
“I think Blue is my color,” Coward said in his announcement. “Thank you to Coach Scheyer and the entire staff for believing in me. I truly believe God has led me to Duke, just as He has led Duke to me.”
Coward, ranked the 13th-best transfer by 247Sports, is the first transfer addition for Duke head coach Jon Scheyer this offseason. Despite his Duke commitment, Coward remains active in the draft process with no final decision yet on whether he’ll turn pro or return to college.
The transfer portal officially closed on April 22, and the NBA Draft is set for June 25.
Coward’s decision came down to Duke and Alabama, with Florida, Kansas, and Washington also in the mix. Ultimately, he cited fit, culture, and the connection with Scheyer as deciding factors.
“They made it feel like I was needed—not just as a player, but as a person,” Coward said. “The values they have, the way they play, it all aligned with who I am.”
Before a torn labrum ended his 2024–25 season early, Coward averaged 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game, shooting 40% from three across six games for WSU. He posted a career-high-tying 30 points against Northern Colorado on Nov. 18 and was leading the Cougars in scoring at the time of his injury.
Coward transferred to WSU from Eastern Washington, where he blossomed into an All-Big Sky First Team performer under then-head coach David Riley. He followed Riley and several teammates to Pullman in 2024. His basketball journey began at Division III Willamette University, where he averaged 19.4 points and 12 rebounds as a freshman.
“I wasn’t good enough for Duke back then,” Coward admitted. “But D-III taught me discipline. I had to work, improve, and fully commit to the game.”
Duke, which lost its entire 2024–25 starting five to the NBA—including projected No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg—adds a key veteran in Coward. He joins returning talents like Isaiah Evans and Caleb Foster, along with a star-studded freshman class led by five-star twins Cameron and Cayden Boozer, sons of former NBA player Carlos Boozer.
Coward praised the young Blue Devils and emphasized the depth of the roster.
“This isn’t a one-star team—it’s a roster full of killers,” he said. “Guys who will do whatever it takes to win, whether that’s scoring four points or 40.”
With strong shooting, length, and elite versatility, Coward is expected to make an immediate impact for Duke. His focus remains on one thing—winning.
“I know what the expectations are at Duke,” he said. “And I’m ready to meet them.”
