Duke basketball has made a surprising appearance in the top five of one of the most intriguing veteran prospects in the transfer portal. Despite staying relatively quiet in this cycle of offseason moves, the Blue Devils have now surfaced as a contender for a high-level talent with experience across multiple divisions of college basketball.
The list of finalists also includes powerhouse programs such as Kansas, Alabama, Florida—the reigning national champions—and Washington, setting up a potential high-stakes recruitment battle that could impact the 2025–26 college basketball landscape.
The player in question is a 6-foot-6 wing from California who began his collegiate journey at Division III Willamette before transferring to Eastern Washington and later Washington State. In what was shaping up to be a standout senior campaign, he averaged an impressive 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 blocks per game across just six contests before a season-ending rotator cuff injury prematurely halted his momentum. That player is Cedric Coward.
Though Coward’s season was cut short, his impact was enough to turn heads across the country. He is currently going through the NBA Draft process, and according to projections, he’s considered a potential high second-round pick. That evaluation leaves him at a crossroads: turn pro or return to college basketball for one final season.
Interestingly, there have been no confirmed reports of contact between Duke and Coward at this stage, making the Blue Devils’ inclusion on his list all the more intriguing. Still, their presence suggests a strategic interest behind the scenes, especially as head coach Jon Scheyer weighs options to reload after losing several top contributors to the NBA.
As it stands, Coward has one year of eligibility remaining. His versatile skill set, two-way impact, and maturity would make him an asset to any program looking to make a deep postseason run—and if Duke does indeed pursue him further, it could mark a significant shift in their otherwise quiet transfer portal activity.
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