The Duke basketball program appeared to have solidified its roster following the commitment of Washington State transfer Cedric Coward, who chose the Blue Devils over Alabama. However, the picture became murkier on Friday with the release of the official invite list for the 2025 NBA Draft Combine.
Both Coward and freshman wing Isaiah Evans received invitations to the prestigious event, which runs from May 11–18 at Wintrust Arena and the Marriott Marquis in Chicago. While their inclusion wasn’t unexpected, Evans’ decision to keep his name in the draft came as a surprise after he had previously announced his return to Duke for his sophomore year.
The combine’s selective nature raises the possibility that one or both players could significantly boost their draft stock through strong performances. ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony recently listed Coward as a potential first-round pick.
Their potential departures could dramatically impact Duke’s outlook for the 2025–26 season, a year in which the team is currently projected to begin with a Top 10 national ranking.
In addition to Coward and Evans, several other Duke players were invited to the combine, including Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, Khaman Maluach, Tyrese Proctor, and Sion James. While the incoming freshman class, headlined by Cameron Boozer, is among the nation’s best, Duke’s returning core is vital to the team’s continuity and success.
Assuming no further departures, Duke is set to return Caleb Foster, Patrick Ngongba, Maliq Brown, and Darren Harris, with Coward and Evans expected to play key roles. However, their final decisions remain uncertain.
Under NCAA rules, players have until May 28 to withdraw from the NBA Draft while maintaining their college eligibility. In the meantime, both Evans and Coward will have opportunities to impress scouts during the combine and through individual team workouts.
With major roster pieces still in flux, all eyes will be on Chicago to see how Duke’s offseason plans take shape.
