Duke's Cedric Coward Sends Strong Message on Jon Scheyer At NBA Draft Combine

Coward, 21, has already logged four seasons of college basketball. He began his career at Willamette University before transferring to Eastern Washington, where he earned First-Team All-Big Sky honors. In his final season with the Eagles, he averaged 15.4 points per game.

He then transferred to Washington State, where he played just six games last season before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in November. Despite the short stint, Coward was impressive, averaging 17.7 points and seven rebounds per game.

At the NBA Draft Combine, Coward spoke about his connection with Coach Scheyer and how involved the Duke staff has been throughout the draft process.

"Talking to Coach Scheyer and the staff, I communicate pretty much everything with them as I get information,” Coward said. “They’re completely supportive of me focusing on the draft right now because this is my dream. At the moment, I’m 100 percent focused on the draft.”

Asked what it would take for him to stay in the draft, Coward explained:

"At the end of the day, I don’t know if there’s something specific I need to hear. It’ll come down to conversations with my agent and making the best decision with the best information I have.”

When pressed on why Duke was still a consideration if he returns to college for one more season, Coward was quick to praise the program.

"Tremendously. There’s a reason I picked them. I love Coach Scheyer and his staff. I believe they can help me if I were to go there.”

The deadline to withdraw from the NBA Draft and retain NCAA eligibility is May 28.