The Duke Blue Devils have made their first splash in the transfer portal ahead of the 2025-26 season, landing a major commitment from versatile Washington State transfer Cedric Coward. The 6-foot-6 guard/forward took to Instagram on Monday to announce that he’s headed to Durham to join head coach Jon Scheyer and one of college basketball’s most storied programs.
Coward’s commitment marks Duke’s first addition via the transfer portal for the upcoming season, showcasing the Blue Devils’ evolving approach to roster building in the modern NCAA landscape. With Coward on board, Scheyer adds a battle-tested player with proven scoring ability and defensive versatility — a big win in a competitive offseason market.
Cedric Coward’s Journey: From Division III to the Power 5
Coward’s path to Duke has been anything but conventional. He began his collegiate career at Willamette University, a Division III program, before transferring to Eastern Washington. There, he thrived for two seasons and earned First-Team All-Big Sky honors in 2023-24, averaging 15.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists while shooting a solid 38.3% from three-point range.
That performance led to a move to Washington State, where Coward made a significant impact early in the 2024-25 season. In just six games before a season-ending shoulder injury, he averaged 17.7 points, seven rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game. Even more impressive, he knocked down 40% of his shots from deep (12-for-30), showing clear growth as a scorer.
Despite the injury, Coward’s brief but explosive stint with the Cougars caught the attention of NBA scouts and top-tier college programs alike.
NBA Draft and Transfer Portal Decision
Coward has entered the 2025 NBA Draft while also choosing to transfer. He plans to go through the NBA Draft Combine — set for May 11-18 in Chicago — and participate in team workouts to assess his draft stock. Per NCAA rules, Coward has until May 28 to withdraw his name and retain his college eligibility.
Should he return to school, Duke will have a high-impact player ready to step into a leading role. But if his NBA stock rises, the Blue Devils will still have played a pivotal role in Coward’s journey — a testament to their standing in the transfer portal era, where fluid roster decisions and dual paths like Coward’s are becoming increasingly common.
Why Coward Is a Big Get for Duke
Cedric Coward is not your average transfer. His 7-foot wingspan gives him elite defensive upside, and he’s already demonstrated the ability to score at all three levels. Whether driving to the rim, pulling up from mid-range, or spotting up beyond the arc, Coward brings offensive tools that fit perfectly into Duke’s fast-paced, high-efficiency offense.
Defensively, he’s equally dangerous. That long wingspan allows him to alter shots at the rim, grab tough rebounds, and disrupt passing lanes — all traits that Duke values in its aggressive defensive schemes. At 21 years old, he brings maturity, experience, and leadership to a Duke roster likely to feature several underclassmen and high-profile freshmen.
With Cedric Coward now in the fold via the transfer portal, Coach Scheyer is showing once again that he knows how to build a modern, championship-caliber team.
Duke’s Transfer Portal Strategy Under Jon Scheyer
Scheyer, now entering his fourth season as Duke’s head coach, has gradually adapted to the changing NCAA landscape. The transfer portal has become an essential tool for reloading rosters and adding seasoned contributors, especially in between waves of one-and-done freshmen.
While Duke has historically leaned on top-ranked recruiting classes, the program is now showing a more balanced approach — one that blends incoming high school talent with experienced college players who can contribute immediately. Coward’s commitment is a clear sign that Scheyer and his staff are working the transfer portal aggressively and strategically.
In the past, the Blue Devils were cautious with transfers, but that mindset has shifted. Scheyer knows the value of players like Coward — proven scorers with college experience and physical tools that translate to the next level.
What’s Next for Duke?
If Coward does decide to return to college for one more season, he’ll likely be a key part of Duke’s starting lineup in 2025-26. He joins a Blue Devils team expected to lose several underclassmen to the NBA Draft but still return a solid core.
Other early entrants from Duke for the 2025 NBA Draft include Cooper Flagg, Tyrese Proctor, Khaman Maluach, and Kon Knueppel — all of whom are projected first-round picks. With multiple players potentially headed to the pros, adding Coward via the transfer portal helps plug critical gaps and bring some stability to the lineup.
Coward would offer immediate two-way value — able to defend multiple positions, serve as a secondary playmaker, and hit open shots from deep. His presence would also help mentor Duke’s next wave of young talent, reinforcing Scheyer’s culture of accountability and excellence.
Final Thoughts: Duke Staying Ahead in the Transfer Era
The transfer portal has completely changed the way college basketball programs build their rosters. For a program like Duke, long considered a haven for five-star freshmen, the ability to identify and recruit veteran college players is now a key component of maintaining elite status.
By securing Cedric Coward as their first transfer portal addition for 2025-26, the Blue Devils are sending a message: they’re not just recruiting for talent — they’re recruiting for fit, experience, and impact.
Whether Coward ultimately stays in the NBA Draft or suits up for Duke next season, one thing is clear: Jon Scheyer and his staff are ahead of the curve when it comes to navigating the ever-evolving world of college basketball’s transfer portal.