Given his sustained success at the NBA Draft Combine, it may not be long before the situation of Cedric Coward, a transfer commit to Duke basketball, is known.
The Washington State transfer has soared up draft boards since committing to the Blue Devils two weeks ago, and he reiterated during his news conference on Wednesday that he is unlikely to ever play in Durham.
In a video that Isaac Trotter shared on social media, he said, “I’m 100 percent focused on the draft.”
“I share almost everything I learn with [Jon Scheyer and the Duke coaching staff], and they fully support me in concentrating on the draft at this time because it’s my dream.”
After impressing in pre-draft workouts prior to coming at the NBA Combine, Coward proceeded to show NBA clubs why he is deserving of being taken in the first round on Tuesday afternoon in shooting exercises and earning exceptional measurements.
The 6-foot-6 wing is not participating in the 5-on-5 scrimmages at the NBA Combine and was the lone impact player the Blue Devils landed via the transfer portal this season.
Cedric Coward said does not need a guarantee or a promise of a draft pick by any team in order to remain in the draft but would make his decision depending on the general reaction he gets from organizations.
Despite the hype surrounding his draft status, he’s not leaving the Blue Devils out to dry.
“There’s a reason I picked them,” he said when asked how Duke would help him boost his draft status if he played in college next season.
“People think I’m using Duke for the noise or whatever, but I picked them, and I love coach Scheyer and the staff for a reason, and I believe they can help me if I were to go there, so it kind of sucks.”
Coward has until May 28 to decide whether to remain in the NBA Draft or return to collegiate basketball and play for Duke next season.
