Duke men’s basketball has made its first portal addition of the offseason.
Cedric Coward, a 6-foot-6 graduate transfer from Washington State, announced his commitment to the Blue Devils on April 28 through Instagram.
Coward played just six games during the 2024 season at Washington State before suffering a torn labrum that required surgery. Despite the shortened season, the Fresno, Calif., native impressed by averaging 17.7 points, seven rebounds, 3.7 assists, and nearly two blocks per game, while shooting 55.7% from the field.
He remains declared for the NBA Draft and must officially withdraw before finalizing his transfer to Duke.
Before joining Washington State, Coward spent two strong seasons at Eastern Washington. He started 34 games, averaging 7.3 points as a sophomore and 15.4 points as a junior. His junior year earned him a spot on the Big Sky All-Conference First Team. He also recorded 215 rebounds, 30 blocks, and 27 steals during his time there.
Coward began his college career at Division III Willamette University, where he ranked second nationally with 19 double-doubles, including a streak of 15 straight to end the season.
Now fully recovered from injury, Coward is expected to bring elite scoring, toughness, and defensive energy to a Duke roster looking to reload after several key players declared for the NBA Draft.
He will join rising junior Caleb Foster and highly touted recruit Cayden Boozer in a new-look backcourt for the 2025-26 season.
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