Cedric Coward does without Duke to stay in the NBA design

Cedric Coward keeps his name in the NBA design of 2025 and will do without the opportunity to play with Duke next season, he told ESPN on Saturday.

“This is the best opportunity for me to reach part of my dream that makes the NBA,” said Coward. “Everything is currently pointing in the right direction to follow it.”

Coward, a 21-year-old senior, spent last year in the state of Washington, but after a partially torn shoulder-labrum, which after only six games and needed an operation at the end of the season. He achieved an average of 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 blocks per game and shot 40% for 3 and due to his unique background story, exhibition elements and outstanding productivity drawing considerable attention in NBA circles.

“The NBA teams learned that the injury was not a setback. I got better and became more profound in all the different details of my game. I have improved enormously in aspects that I had to work on.

Coward entered the NCAA transfer portal and announced at the end of April that he committed himself to Duke after an official visit and announced the interest of Alabama, Kansas, Washington and Florida.

“Although I stay in the design, I selected Duke for a certain reason,” said Coward. “I have the feeling that I am halfway in the brotherhood. This was initially a difficult decision, but after the combine it was much easier with the way I wanted to take. Even if I went to Duke, it would have been to achieve this level. I have the feeling that I am ready.

Cowards viewing at NBA team has increased in the middle of a strong preliminary draft process that had affected the projected selection of the first round, which led to his decision to stay in the draft without ever playing a single game for Duke.

It measured an enormous 7-foot 2 1/4 wing span on the NBA draft, tested a maximum wide jump of 38 1/2 inches, which was classified as one of the best shooters in drills (71% of his aggregated attempts) and led his physical tools in the spread of Los Angeles, in which the life sports agency was organized.

Coward started his career at Division III Willamette University in 2021 and received the newcomer to the year Northwest Conference of the Year. After his first year he moved to Eastern Washington University, where he spent two seasons under head coach David Riley and became a big, all-first team member in 2024. When Riley was appointed head coach of the state of Washington, Coward followed him after Pullman, Washington, and seemed on the way to an all-conference campaign in the WCC before injuring his shoulder.

As a young senior, who did not have 22 years old until September 11th, a form that every NBA team with its length, its scope, his defensive potential and its late flowering trajectory fits.

Coward, which is currently being projected as No. 30 in ESPN's latest Mock design by ESPN, will be released on June 14th for full contact activity. He says he has already visited two NBA teams for private one for zero workouts – the Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder – and worked in Los Angeles in front of another seven teams that rate him.

“I see myself as a draft selection,” said Coward. “I am looking for a team that wants to take a chance for me. I have really received positive feedback. Many teams were shy and did not show exactly how they feel. It doesn't matter whether it is a guarantee or not, there is still work in front of me. More about which team gives me the opportunity to show what I can do on the pitch.”

The NBA design will take place from June 25th to 26th in the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Jonathan Givony is an expert from NBA Draft and founder and co-owner of Draftexpress.com, a private scouting and analytics service used by NBA, NCAA and international teams.