Cedric Coward, a transfer commit to Duke basketball, may be the most talked-about non-lottery candidate at this week’s NBA Draft Combine, yet his prospects of making it to Durham seem to be fading rapidly.
Coward arrived in Chicago with excellent measurements, and his shooting performance during Tuesday’s exercises only made him more of a first-round pick.
According to ESPN draft analyst Jonathan Givony, the Washington State transfer made 68 percent of his shots (17 of 25) and 72 percent of all his shots throughout drills, leading the whole combine in the 3-point star shooting exercise at one point.
NBA Combine exercises’ final top shooters (averaging all shoots). Mark Sears was blazing hot.
Instead of going through predetermined exercises and shooting against no defenders, athletes will have the opportunity to participate in 5-on-5 scrimmages on Wednesday at the combine, which will make things much more intriguing.
Cedric Coward’s absence from the court is Duke’s issue. He will let his workouts continue to impress teams instead of participating in the 5-on-5 scrimmages.
Top prospects frequently choose not to participate in the 5-on-5 exercises; Cooper Flagg, Khaman Maluach, and Kon Knueppel would not have participated if he had been fit enough to do so.
Tyrese Proctor unexpectedly chose not to participate in the scrimmages when it was announced that no club had selected the anticipated second-round choice. Proctor will sit out and try to impress clubs during individual workouts, but if he does well in the exhibitions, he will have an opportunity to improve his draft value.
Following Tuesday’s sessions, there was little talk about Proctor.
Sion James is the lone Duke player scheduled to play in the 5-on-5 scrimmages.
Cedric Coward’s future is still up in the air, but scouts and talent evaluators in Chicago are giving every indication that he will stay in the NBA Draft and not play for Duke this season.
