Can jump out of the gym? He cant even jump and dunk half the time. Hes stuck a dunk on the rim what...4 or 5 times now?
Justin Edwards is not a top 5 recruit
- Thread starter RunninRichie
- Start date
I get the thought process, but Cal runs his program a certain way. And that way requires guys like Edwards, Bradshaw and Wagner to live up to their rankings. Reed has obviously produced like we all thought Edwards would…so it hasn’t been as big a deal
But for UK to get to where they want to be…they need Edwards to be at least James Young. If he can’t be that? A top-20 pick? I can’t see this team winning it all.
The part of what you’re saying that loses me is that Edwards, Wagner, Bradshaw, etc., etc., etc… aren’t living up to their ranking. These kids were ranked (largely based on potential, by the way) in comparison to other high school players. But they’re not playing against high school players now. So, Edwards was the 5th ranked (or whatever) high school player – so what? If they were playing in the old days when each school had a freshmen team, yeah maybe then it would make sense to me to say this player isn’t “living up to his ranking.” But as it stands now, saying a freshman isn't living up to his ranking is, to me, more a fan perception problem than a problem with the rankings per se. There is not a valid or dependable cause and effect in regard to high school rankings, projected draft position, or maybe not even actual draft position and CBB productivity. We’ve fallen into a logical fallacy in regard to this.
Yes, a few freshmen each year stand out – although still generally not at the level of the best upperclassmen in regard to impact on winning - and a good number more are productive for their teams (especially in supplemental roles). UK has some darn good freshmen, and I think odds are that Edwards will make a heck of a SF in time. But the No.# 1 ranked SF in high school coming into a top program is as likely as not to be ranked nearer the bottom than the top of his conference for SF productivity that first year. We keep seeing it over and over – and not just at UK, by any means – and yet we continue to have this belief that the 5th ranked high school player coming in to college should be the 5th best player in college. That’s just crazy to me.
I agree with most of your points about where players are ranked. I’m just saying, 14 years in, arguably Cal’s top teams have had freshmen who were clearly the best players on the team:
2010: Wall (FR), Cousins (FR), Patterson (JR), Bledsoe (FR)
2011: Knight (FR), Jones (FR), Miller (JR), Liggins (JR), Lamb (FR), Harrelson (SR)
2012: Davis (FR), MKG (FR), Jones (SO), Lamb (SO), Teague (FR), Miller (SR)
2014: Started 5 freshmen in the title game
2015: Towns (FR), WCS (JR), Harrisons (SO), Lyles (FR), Booker (FR), Johnson (SO), Ulis (FR)
2017: Fox (FR), Monk (FR), Adebayo (FR), Briscoe (SO), Willis (SR)
2019: Washington (SO), Herro (FR), Johnson (FR), Travis (SR), Hagans (FR), Quickley (FR)
I would argue these were his 7 best teams and 5/7 (in my opinion) had freshmen who were the two best players on the team. So there is a correlation between UK’s March success and its freshmen playing up to their recruiting rankings.
I do think freshmen in 2023 are better prepared than freshmen 20-30 years to come in right away and be stars. Due to AAU, players turning pro earlier, etc. This doesn’t mean it’s fair to pile on Edwards/Wagner so early in the season. But our coach historically has relied on freshmen stars to win big in March. Which is why I feel, assuming Reed keeps playing at his current level, 1/2 of Wagner or Edwards has to be a star. As much as I love Reeves and Mitchell, I don’t think they can be our second best player if the goal is to cut down the nets.
Damn he’s good enough to break the time continuum? Averages more minutes a game, than time in the game.
I don't disagree with what you said. Very nice post, by the way. I just think recruiting rankings are only applicable to compare freshmen in that class with each other, and not CBB players in general.
I also think roster building that is over-reliant on freshmen to carry your offense (supplemental is fine) is not a smart way for a top program to function. At a program like UK you don't have to gamble like that. The programs winning championships don't have to do it - why should UK. It's unnecessarily self-limiting in my opinion - and should stop. But that isn't even applicable to your point, anyway. And plus, I think Reeves and Mitchell and even Thiero to a degree might be enough of a base to give UK a decent shot this season along with some higher than normal skilled freshmen Guards. I just wish UK had gotten a more dependable offensive SF to go with this team - like maybe Dalton Knecht or one of the big 2Gs in the portal. - even though, again I like Edwards potential in the future (I just fear that he won't get to enough of that potential in his one year at UK)
Read somewhere on here that Cal mentioned Edwards was not a gym rat, comes to practice then leaves.
Can’t read minds, obviously, but if Edwards mindset is that he’s a top NBA pick and he’s just biding his time here until the draft, then he’ll never improve that much. Not remotely suggesting it’s the case, but he certainly wouldn’t be the first one to be so like-minded. It’s the pitch they’re given when recruited.
He is a really good player and will be fine. Some adjust to the speed and physicality of the college game immediately and some do not. For some, this is like playing a completely different game. I expect him to flip the switch by mid season.
Man im not a sunshine pumper. ive been royally pissed at Cal for years , but we have to give this team a little time. We went from we are going to win it all to we suck! Edwards is going to be fine, maybe not live up to the hype but he will be fine. I do really like this team. losing at home to UNC WILMINGTON is bad, really bad but these kids all play in the EYBL or the Adidas circuit and they dont get scared coming into Rupp anymore. With transfer portal everyone has dudes now... im not making excuses just saying lets let this play out abit.
I like Edwards. He hasn’t dropped his head or pouted. Has played hard and shown a desire to do what he can to help the team win. He was probably over ranked from HS. And his coach is playing him more minutes than his production justifies. Those things aren’t his fault. Cal isn’t doing him any favors and I’m sure he feels the pressure. Take it easy on him.
Fair statement
It’s another facet of Calipari’s philosophy with these guy and probably the worst
If that is the case though…well he’s being allowed to do so
I’m starting to wonder if some of these 5*’s camps are paying these recruiting analyst under the table to pad their rankings!
No way in basketball hell is Edwards a NBA first rounder, much less a lottery pick!
With that said, I m glad he chose UK and hope he stays until he’s ready, but he won’t.
No way in basketball hell is Edwards a NBA first rounder, much less a lottery pick!
With that said, I m glad he chose UK and hope he stays until he’s ready, but he won’t.
Just looked over the final Rivals 150 for the 23 class.
Couldn't really find a SF I'd trade Edwards for.
Holland and the foreign kid went Ignite.
Really a down year.
Can’t defend and can’t shoot. But boy he ain’t afraid to let it fly.
What???? Adou is twice the athlete of Edwards, he has missed on 2 dunks already this year and the rim blocked one.
As of right now, he doesn’t look like a high level ond. Probably the type of guy who could use this year to grow and have a chance to shine his second year. The problem is he was highly rated out of hs and very high in mock drafts, so he’s going have a green light for everything.
I hadn’t seen one in awhile, was going off the preseason ones that had him very high. I still think he can be a good player, he’s just not in line with UK’s past elite onds.
Edwards has shown some flashes of ability. He played decent against St. Joe and Miami. Definitely was overrated out of high school, but he doesn't have to be great to help us. We need some consistent scoring from the forward position, including from the perimeter and I think he has a chance to develop into that guy. He has a good looking shot....if he can relax and let the game come to him I think he's got upside. Time will tell.
I thought he played well in the Miami game. He didnt force anything and took what the defense gave him. But he was atrocious in the UNCW game. Almost every highlight of Tarzan driving to the basket, you can see Edwards chasing behind him where he got burned again. Defense is 75% effort and desire. And to run a play and have Reed pass it out to him for a shot on the wing at a critical time in the game; well, thats 100% on the coach. I noticed another time and the tv announcers brought it up, in the second half he had a path to the basket and pulled up with about a 12-14 ft jumper that bricked. I just dont see this kid being a first round pick. He is a prime candidate for one who should stay 2 years, but we all know he wont.
I can’t disagree with that, although I don’t know how every freshman who was listed as a SF in recruiting rankings is playing around the country. But I doubt that UK would have been better off (any maybe significantly worse) with any other 5-star type high school “SFs.” Edwards’ length has allowed him to basically play a dual PF role with Thiero for UK; and given the lack of size, UK desperately needed that help. I think he was better suited to play that role this year than most other alleged SFs in the high school rankings.
But the thing is, another freshman to play the SF spot was not the only option, right? There were numerous SFs in the portal that many (most?) CBB analysts (and coaches) would have predicted would be a more productive SF for this season than Edwards. And if the staff knew that Edwards was basically OAD regardless of what happens this year, then you’re comparing apples to apples when you compare him to a portal transfer - and in that case I’m taking one of the portal options. Now, if you know Edwards is open to playing multiple years if he’s not a lottery pick, then that changes the equation.
You can support him and still say he has not shown anything near a top 5 recruit. People here act like if you criticize him, you don’t support him.
It’s fair to say he has not shown much to warrant a top 5 status. Below average shooting, dribbling, and athleticism. That being said, I’m pulling for him. However, our best lineups, right now, do not include him…
It’s fair to say he has not shown much to warrant a top 5 status. Below average shooting, dribbling, and athleticism. That being said, I’m pulling for him. However, our best lineups, right now, do not include him…
Thanks, and yes I agree that Cal’s model is outdated. Maybe it worked the first 8 years, but it really hasn’t worked since 2019 (and even then Duke took our lunch in that class). I do like that he’s changed his offensive approach. My hope is that he continues to add the talented portal guys as he’s done the past few seasons. This team would be lost without Mitchell.
We must define dawg differently. At the moment Edwards is much too timid to be considered a dawg. His physicality and tenacity need to reach another level. Instead of punking dudes he's cowering away when challenged.
i hope he picks it up, he plays too soft and he is in his head 24/7, not to mention he plays like he's 5'11
Statistically, it isn't a joke. However, it is a very subjective and there are lots of misses. Someone did an evaluation of the rankings, based on player performance, several years ago (it was posted on this site) and it made it clear that rankings do matter. Having said that, I think the biggest downfall of the system is that it often rewards players based on perceived potential. The NBA drafts on perceived potential as well and that is why some high draft picks are busts.
As for Reed Sheppard, he was also underrated by the majority of this board. Go back and look at the posts about how he will be a good player coming off the bench, etc. from before our Summer games.
How is this even *f*ing relevant at this point? He is a KY basketball player. That means support not ridicule.
If you read it on here it’s obviously wrong. I wouldn’t believe the sky is blue if I read it here. 90% of what is posted here is intended to undermine Ky personnel and players.
