5-star Justin Edwards commits to Kentucky

Class of 2023 five-star small forward Justin Edwards has committed to Kentucky, he told On3.

“I grew up always wanting to play for Kentucky,” Edwards said to On3.

The 6-foot-7, 180-pound prospect out of Philadelphia (Pa.) Imhotep Institute ultimately chose the Wildcats over Tennessee and Auburn. He also received offers from Villanova, Kansas, Maryland, UConn, and others.

Edwards becomes UK’s third commitment to the 2023 class, joining five-star PG Robert Dillingham and four-star CG Reed Sheppard. The ‘Cats are also heavily in the mix for five-star big men Ugonna Kingsley and Aaron Bradshaw, not to mention, DJ Wagner.

Kentucky currently has the No. 1 ranked recruiting class in 2023.

Edwards ranks as the No. 10 overall prospect in the 2023 class according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. He’s also ranked as the No. 2 small forward and the No. 1 player in the state of Pennsylvania. 

Edwards on Kentucky

“When I was on my visit (to Kentucky), I saw they’re playing style and how they play,” Edwards said previously to On3. “They get guys to the league, but their team is all connected as one.

“(Kentucky) is a basketball state. Everything about it is basketball. The fans, and everything. It’s all about basketball.”

When I spoke to Edwards in April, he told me he was only hearing from Kentucky “once in a blue moon.” Since then, the Wildcats managed to make up a lot of ground on Tennessee, who was viewed as the leader for Edwards at the time. This was largely due to the fact that Kentucky head coach John Calipari took over Edwards’ recruitment, and began to personally recruit the five-star prospect.

“I’ve been talking to Coach (John) Calipari more than other schools, just more,” Edwards told KSR at the NBPA Top 100 Camp in June. “That’s made a big difference to me. It shows that I’m one of the main guys they’re going after, me talking to head coaches.”

Scouting Summary

Justin Edwards is a smooth lefty shooter. The ball comes out clean with a consistent and high release in catch-and-shoot situations. He is an excellent defender with great length and pop. He is good in the passing lanes and will stand in to take charges in transition. Edwards needs to continue improving off the bounce, getting to the rim, and pulling up. There is a definite three-and-d upside with Edwards. – On3’s Jamie Shaw, National Recruiting Analyst