UK basketball commit Justin Edwards says picking Cats ‘relieved a lot of stress’
Justin Edwards says he’s back to being himself, which means UK men’s basketball fans will get a better look at the incoming five-star talent for the Wildcats during his final high school season.
Edwards is the latest five-star recruit to pledge to join John Calipari’s program, committing to Kentucky in late July.
A 6-foot-7 wing from Philadelphia — who picked Kentucky over Tennessee — Edwards only recently became part of an uber-talented 2023 recruiting class for the Wildcats, alongside guard Robert Dillingham and in-state combo guard Reed Sheppard.
But while in Chicago as part of the showcase Under Armor Next Elite 24 event, Edwards told the Herald-Leader he felt like his college recruitment affected his play.
“I feel like I wasn’t myself during the recruitment process. I feel like I was just worried about a lot,” Edwards explained. “Once I committed, it relieved a lot of stress. I was just able to go back to being myself. I knew where I was going during Peach Jam, so that’s why I played well.”
Edwards committed to UK just one day after Peach Jam concluded, and the stats show he was able to excel at the renowned Nike EYBL event with a clear mindset.
Edwards was a first-team selection at Peach Jam, averaging 16.3 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 steals and 1.2 assists while playing for Team Final.
“It was just like the recruitment process didn’t have me feeling right,” Edwards said.
One of the most significant moments in Edwards’ recruitment to Kentucky came in late April, when Calipari and the entire UK coaching staff flew to Philadelphia to meet with Edwards and his family.
What did that gesture mean to Edwards, who is currently ranked as the No. 3 player nationally in the 2023 class in the 247Sports composite?
“They don’t do a lot of home visits with a lot of people,” Edwards said. “Just them coming was like, ‘Oh, wow.’”
Discussion during that meeting between the UK coaching staff and Edwards and his family centered around what Kentucky could do to get Edwards to the NBA, how they could help improve Edwards’ body and how they would help the left-handed player become just as proficient with his right hand.
Ahead of his senior season at Imhotep Institute in Philadelphia, Edwards said his focus is on the things that both he and the Kentucky coaching staff want him to improve on.
“Shooting quicker, being a better shooter. I’m a streaky shooter. If I’m going, I’m going,” Edwards said. “Getting stronger and my right hand. I feel like that’s what’s been holding me back a little bit.”
Edwards hasn’t had a chance to watch either of Kentucky’s preseason games so far in the Bahamas, but he did correctly recite the final score from Thursday night’s 62-point drubbing of Mexican team Tec de Monterrey.
Despite this, Edwards still has some thoughts on just how good the 2022-23 UK squad can be.
“I feel like they’ll be good, they’re going to make a better run,” Edwards said. “The basketball gods were on Saint Peter’s’ side last year. They’re going to make a better and longer run this year.”
With some other potential class of 2023 targets still on the board for Kentucky, Edwards has also been busy trying to convince some of them to come with him to Lexington.
“The people that I’m trying to recruit, they’re my homies,” Edwards said. “So I’m like, ‘Come join. Let’s win. Let’s get them back to winning.’ I’m big on winning, I love winning. If we can get them back to winning, it’s going to make us look better and make Coach Calipari look better like, ‘He did this with a young group.’”
