May 14, 2025; Chicago, Il, USA; Cedric Coward talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago. David Banks Imagn Images
Duke made roster moves over the past week knowing top transfer Cedric Coward was unlikely to play at the school next season and, on Saturday, that prophecy came true.
A 6-6 guard from Washington State who committed to Duke but kept his professional options open, Coward told ESPN he is indeed staying in the NBA Draft, where’s he’s projected as a first-round pick.
“This is the best opportunity for me to achieve part of my dream, which is making the NBA,” Coward said. “Everything is pointing in the right direction right now to follow that.”
The likelihood that Coward would stay in the draft, and never play for the Blue Devils, became more and more strong as May progressed, especially after his solid performance at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago. Coward had played in only six games last season at Washington State due to a partially torn labrum in his shoulder.
But NBA scouts are confident he’ll be fully healthy and able to contribute next season. Duke’s coaching staff felt the same way when it recruited and secured his tenuous commitment this spring.
Nov 21, 2024; Spokane, Washington, USA; Washington State Cougars guard Cedric Coward (0) dunks the ball against the Eastern Washington Eagles in the second half at Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena. Washington State Cougars won 96-81. James Snook Imagn Images
With Coward not expected to play at Duke, Blue Devils coach Jon Scheyer and his staff turned their attention to 6-6 guard Dame Starr, an Italian player who committed to Duke earlier this week. The Blue Devils also added 6-8 forward Sebastian Wilkins to its incoming freshman class on Friday.
Even though he won’t play for the Blue Devils, Coward told ESPN he retains strong feelings for the program.
“Even though I am staying in the draft, I picked Duke for a reason,” Coward said. “I feel like I’m halfway in the brotherhood. This was a difficult decision at first, but after the combine, it became a lot easier with the path I wanted to take.
“This was always the main goal. Even if I went to Duke, it would have been in order to get to this level. I feel like I am ready. It didn’t hurt that I did pretty well at the combine.”
In addition to Sarr and Wilkins, Duke’s well-regarded incoming freshman class also includes 6-9 forward Cam Boozer, his 6-4 twin brother Cayden Boozer and 6-11 forward Nik Khamenia.
Duke returns 6-5 junior guard Caleb Foster, 6-6 sophomore wing Isaiah Evans and 6-5 guard Darren Harris returning on the perimeter, along with 6-11 sophomore center Patrick Ngongba and 6-9 senior forward Maliq Brown on the interior.
The Blue Devils added two reserve players in the transfer portal in 6-6 guard Jack Scott from Princeton and 6-11 center Iffy Ufochukwu from Rice.
While losing no players to transfer portal, Duke’s staff is replacing all five starters from last season’s 35-4 team that won the ACC championship and reached the Final Four.