On April 5, Beijing time, University of Kentucky rookie forward Justin Edwards announced his participation in the 2024 NBA draft on his social media.
Justin Edwards
Edwards, a 6-8 (2.03m) tall, forward averaged 8.8 points and 3.4 rebounds in 21.5 minutes per game for the Wildcats in his freshman season, shooting 48.6% from the field and 36.5% from three-point range, and ESPN's latest prediction is the 30th pick.
Justin Edwards
According to ESPN's official website, Edwards is the third-ranked player for the class of 2023, although other rookies Rob Dillingham and Reed Sheppard have had a bigger impact on the University of Kentucky this year, averaging 15.2 and 12.5 points per game, respectively.
Justin Edwards
While Edwards didn't become a star in one season at the University of Kentucky, he has shown hope at times, especially as a shooter whose playmaking skills need to be improved, averaging less than one assist per game, and his defense, but he has the size of the NBA and could be a prolific player on the right team.
The University of Kentucky is not the team it was a decade ago, when it was a Final Four contender almost every year. The Wildcats have been knocked out of the Sweet 16 for the past three seasons and haven't made it past their second weekend since 2018-19, and coach Calipari will need to prove his coaching ability to lead Kentucky back to glory.