Cedric Coward, a highly anticipated transfer addition for the Duke basketball program, generated considerable excitement upon his commitment. Ranked as the No. 14 overall transfer and the No. 5 transfer shooting guard by the On3 Transfer Portal Industry Rankings, Coward, a rising super senior, was noted for his elite shooting ability, physicality, and a remarkable shot-blocking skill for a guard. He had previously played for Washington State before deciding to transfer to Duke.

However, Coward is set to become one of the most well-known Duke Blue Devils never to play a single minute for the team. He ultimately made the decision to remain in the 2025 NBA Draft, thereby opting not to return to college basketball for the 2025-26 season with Duke. This decision came despite initial hopes that he might return to college, as he was not initially viewed as a guaranteed first-round pick when he committed to Duke over Alabama.

Coward's NBA draft stock has experienced a significant surge, largely attributed to his elite performances at the NBA combine. His stock is currently higher than ever following his official confirmation to stay in the draft. This ascent has led to some remarkable projections, with John Fanta of FOX Sports, in a recent mock draft, placing Coward as high as the No. 10 pick, potentially going to the Houston Rockets. If this projection holds, it could mean four players with Blue Devil connections being selected in the top ten picks, although Coward's status as a 'Blue Devil' in this context is debatable given he won't play for the team.

While some NBA teams reportedly had reservations about the buzz surrounding Coward due to the limited sample size of his elite play—he only played six games for Washington State in the 2024-25 season due to injury—his veteran presence and his skill set, which is seen as capable of contributing to a team's success immediately, are becoming increasingly attractive to NBA front offices. Nevertheless, the Duke staff and its fanbase are understandably disappointed that Coward will not be donning a Blue Devil jersey in the upcoming season.

Despite the disappointment for Duke, Cedric Coward's journey is nothing short of incredible. He began his collegiate basketball career at Willamette University, a Division III program. Following his time there, he spent two seasons at Eastern Washington before transferring to Washington State for the 2024-25 campaign. His progression from Division III to committing to a prestigious program like Duke is an extraordinary feat in itself.

Now, Coward has the potential to achieve something even more remarkable: transitioning from a Division III player to a lottery pick in the NBA Draft. His rise to prominence has been swift, and there is a strong possibility that he will hear his name called much earlier than initially anticipated on draft night, capping off an inspiring and rapid ascent in the basketball world.