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The first round of the 2024 NBA draft saw 22 college basketball stars land with new professional homes – including a pair of Kentucky Wildcats in Reed Sheppard and Rob Dillingham, who went No. 3 and No. 8 to Houston and Minnesota, respectively.
Dillingham and Sheppard incredibly were ranked fourth and fifth among Kentucky recruits in the 2023 class, highlighting the ridiculous talent John Calipari brought to Lexington in his final season with the Wildcats.
The top name in the class was Aaron Bradshaw, who returned to school and transferred to Ohio State, while the third ranked member of the class, DJ Wagner, followed Calipari to Arkansas for his sophomore season.
The second ranked player, Justin Edwards, also declared for the NBA draft after his freshman season – but after the first round ended he was still waiting to hear his name called.
Edwards did not deliver as expected for the ‘Cats last year, averaging under nine points and 3.4 rebounds per game. He showed very little facilitation skills and was inconsistent on both ends of the floor – although the outside shooting and athleticism are present enough for a rebuilding team to give him a look, likely early in Round 2 on Thursday.
Below is a look at Edwards’ draft profile, including his measurements at the combine, strengths and weaknesses as a player, and team fits in the NBA:
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From: Philadelphia, PA
Played: Kentucky (2023-24)
2023-24 Stats: 8.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 0.9 steals, 0.9 assists, 56.4% on twos, 36.5% from three
Syndication: The Knoxville News-Sentinel
Height: 6’6
Weight: 209.4 pounds
Wingspan: 6’10
Standing Reach: 8’6.5
Max Vertical Leap: 32.5 inches
Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
- Well built frame and athleticism. 6’10 wingspan and above average positional strength will help him at the next level.
- Moves well without the basketball, times cuts to the basket well and has good hoops instincts.
- Upside as an above average wing defender thanks to instincts, athleticism, and length.
- While older for a freshman, still a young NBA prospect with upside.
Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
- Showed very few playmaking or facilitation skills last season. Distributed the ball very poorly, less than one assist per game on a high possession offensive roster.
- Does not have the ball handling skills to be an effective shot creator, outside of attacking closeouts. Mid range game, floater game, all of that is non existent at this point.
- Efficiency left something to be desired. Was adequate as a three point shooter but doesn’t project to be a knockdown outside shooter at the next level, and didn’t finish great around the rim.
- Defense has projectable upside, but wasn’t anything special on that end of the floor last year either.
Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
CSW Mock: No. 31 to Toronto Raptors
Team Fits: A rebuilding team willing to take on a project. Toronto, Utah, Portland, San Antonio, Charlotte, Washington
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Courtesy : https://collegesportswire.usatoday.com/lists/nba-draft-justin-edwards-profile-kentucky-basketball/