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Duke Basketball Player Makes NBA Draft Decision

Originally posted on Philadelphia 76ers on SI
By Justin Grasso | Last updated May 25, 2025 5:43 PM ET

With the conclusion of May approaching, some NBA Draft prospects have critical decisions to make regarding the upcoming season. Some will stay in the player pool, making the jump from the NCAA to the pros. Some will pull out and return to the NCAA for another round.

Duke Basketball transfer Cedric Coward entered the pre-draft process ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft Combine. Following the big event in Chicago, there was a lot of discussion surrounding Coward’s immediate future. If he projected outside of the first round, a return to make a debut with Duke was in the cards.

So far, Coward remains a first-round projected prospect. According to ESPN, he’ll remain in the draft.

"This is the best opportunity for me to achieve part of my dream, which is making the NBA," Coward told ESPN. "Everything is pointing in the right direction right now to follow that."

NEWS: Cedric Coward is keeping his name in the 2025 NBA draft and will forgo the opportunity to play at Duke next season, he told ESPN.

STORY: https://t.co/0S4EK3HoqK pic.twitter.com/sGqUhJYvGy
— Jonathan Givony (@DraftExpress) May 24, 2025

The Blue Devils would’ve been Coward’s fourth college team. He started at Williamette in 2021, before ending up with Eastern Washington in 2022. Last year, Coward played at Washington State. After boosting his stock over the past two years, Coward entered the NCAA transfer portal with a commitment to Duke.

However, Coward is banking on getting drafted.

The Philadelphia 76ers could be in a range to draft Coward if he’s a slider. Many mock drafts suggestshe could be a late first-round pick, but beyond the lottery is always an area where big boards tend to see shakeups.

At EWU two years ago, Coward posted averages of 15 points, seven rebounds, and two assists in 32 games. Last season, he averaged 18 points, seven rebounds, and four assists in just six games for WSU.

On day two of the 2025 NBA Draft, the Sixers are currently set to go on the clock at No. 35.