Expert anticipates Duke basketball transfer commitment to choose the NBA path instead

The Duke basketball team may have placed itself at a disadvantage in the portal by recruiting Cedric Coward.

Given Cedric Coward’s clear rise in the eyes of NBA Draft analysts, it’s reasonable to wonder whether the Duke basketball program made a mistake in chasing the Washington State transfer forward in the first place.

Coward, a 6-foot-6 explosive wing who is ranked No. 13 overall in the 247Sports Transfer Rankings and committed to Jon Scheyer’s Blue Devils in late April, is Duke’s only portal commit with the proven ability to contribute immediately in Durham if he withdraws his name as an early NBA Draft entrant by the May 28 deadline.

Furthermore, few transfers on Coward’s level are now available.

According to insider Zach Lowe on The Zach Lowe Show, Coward is expected to be selected in the first round of the 2025 NBA Draft if he opts to withdraw from his Duke basketball commitment and remain in the draft.

“They’re all gonna be mad that I say the name because they all think they’re the only ones on it,” Lowe said about his recent talks with franchise decision-makers about Coward’s potential. “And they’re not…Cedric Coward, if all of these scouts are on him like this…I think he’s gonna be picked higher than [No. 29] just based on my conversations.”

Zach Lowe on Cedric Coward

(Via @ZachLowe_NBA’s podcast The Zach Lowe Show) pic.twitter.com/IjrQs9mmLm

— Duke Update (@UpdateDuke) May 9, 2025

As a senior last season, his first at Washington State after two seasons at Eastern Washington, he averaged 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 blocks. Due to an injury, he was only able to make six appearances.

Sure, the anticipated Duke basketball lineup for 2025-26 features players with star potential, such as incoming five-star freshman big Cameron Boozer. However, as of yet, the collection lacks a single player who averaged more than seven points per game in college last season, which has raised serious concerns among national media outlets.

MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of SI’s Duke Blue Devils, North Carolina Tar Heels, and NC State Wolfpack, giving him a valuable source for in-depth coverage of these legendary college basketball schools. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been committed to delivering in-depth analysis, breaking news, and unique material for all three teams. He discusses everything from game predictions and recaps to player biographies and recruitment information. Matt’s extensive understanding of these teams has made his work a must-read for fans and watchers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he determines editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely content reaches his target audience.

Duke basketball fans react to the surprising transfer portal move

The Duke Blue Devils and head coach Jon Scheyer were one victory away from winning the national title last season. Unfortunately, they fell short against the Houston Cougars.

Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel were both anticipated to leave the program over the winter. That has become a reality, as both freshman standouts have declared for the 2025 NBA draft.

Scheyer wanted to recruit additional talent to the squad to keep Duke in the running for the 2025-26 collegiate basketball season. On Wednesday, he was able to add another potentially important component.

According to the Blue Devils’ official account on X, former Rice big man 24 has committed to Duke after entering the transfer portal.

One of the most pressing demands for the next season was increased size. The 6-foot-11, 240-pound physique that Ufochukwu brings to the floor is everything the Blue Devils could have hoped for.

Fans flocked to the comments section to respond to Duke’s fascinating transfer portal inclusion.

“The last time Duke got a Nigerian big man transfer from Rice, they won a national championship,” a supporter complained.

A second remark said, “Very great pickup. With Ngongba and Brown’s injury histories, another big was vital to have as backup. Not anticipating a lot of output, but it’s fantastic to have another big body on the squad. Now bring Coward back and go fetch another guard.”

“Former college teammate of Cam Sheffield & former AAU teammate of Caleb Foster,” a third remark read.

Another fan said, “Wow… Duke will be right back in the Final Four.”

Ufochukwu appeared in 16 games during the 2024-25 college basketball season at Rice, averaging 1.8 points and 0.6 rebounds in 3.3 minutes per game.