Jon Scheyer and the Duke Blue Devils are actively reshaping their roster as the offseason begins, making a notable addition through the transfer portal.
Their first move came with a commitment from a versatile 6-foot-6 graduate transfer from Washington State, who announced his decision to join the Blue Devils via Instagram on April 28.
He arrives in Durham with a diverse and unique collegiate journey, having played at three different levels of college basketball. A native of Fresno, California, his most recent stint at Washington State was cut short after just six games due to a torn labrum that required season-ending surgery. Despite the limited playing time, he made a strong impression—shooting 55.7% from the field while averaging 17.7 points, 7 rebounds, 10 blocks, and 22 assists in that brief stretch. His early-season performance earned him a spot on the 2024 Preseason All-WCC Team before the injury setback.
Cedric Coward remains in the NBA Draft pool and must formally withdraw before officially joining Duke’s roster, but if he returns to college basketball, the Blue Devils are set to benefit from a highly skilled, battle-tested player.
Prior to Washington State, Coward spent two seasons at Eastern Washington, where his game flourished. As a sophomore, he averaged 7.3 points per game, then saw a major leap as a junior, averaging 15.4 points, earning First Team All-Big Sky Conference honors. He also showed his all-around impact with 215 rebounds, 30 blocks, and 27 steals, demonstrating his two-way capabilities.
Coward began his collegiate career at Division III Willamette University, where he was nothing short of dominant. He led the nation with 19 double-doubles, including a remarkable streak of 15 consecutive to end the season—an early sign of his relentless work ethic and potential.
Now fully recovered from his shoulder injury, Coward brings experience, defensive versatility, and scoring ability to a Duke team reloading for another deep NCAA Tournament run. He’s expected to play a key role alongside returning junior Caleb Foster and incoming freshman Cayden Boozer, one of the top recruits in the country. With multiple players departing for the NBA, Coward’s arrival provides not only talent but also critical leadership and maturity to a Blue Devils squad with championship aspirations.
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