5-star wing Justin Edwards cuts list of schools, includes G-League

Five-star small forward Justin Edwards has narrowed his list down to seven options: Kentucky, Tennessee, Auburn, Maryland, Kansas, Villanova, and the G-League.

The 6-foot-7 small forward out of Philadelphia Imhotep Institute ranks 13th nationally in the class of 2023, according to the On3 Consensus, a complete and equally weighted industry-generated average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies. Edwards is also ranked as the fifth-best small forward, and No. 1 in the state of Pennsylvania.

Edwards will no longer consider the likes of UConn, Ohio State, Penn State, Seton Hall, Georgetown, Virginia, Syracuse, and others.

Edwards talks recruitment

In a recent interview with On3, Edwards discussed two of the major schools involved in his recruitment. So far, only Tennessee and Kentucky have hosted him for official visits. The two programs also conducted in-home visits with the Edwards earlier this week.

Tennessee: “It was like a family atmosphere,” Edwards said of his visit to Tennessee. “They welcomed me like I was family and I liked that. I like building connections with the players and stuff. I just like feeling like I’m welcomed. I’m looking at how (Rick Barnes) plays his wings. Like the past wings that he’s had and the wings he has now, and I feel like he does a good job with them.”

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

Edwards’ recruitment appears to be shaping up to be an SEC showdown between the ‘Cats and the ‘Vols.

Right now, Edwards does not have any other visits currently planned and also does not have a timeline for a commitment.

Scouting Report

“A lefty. What you walk away with about Justin Edwards is how smooth he plays. Nothing is ever rushed with him. As a 6-foot-6/6-foot-7 wing, Edwards has great length and soft-touch with deep range. He shoots it well off the catch and coming off movement. You want to see him develop more craft off the bounce, maybe develop some counters or combo moves there. He is a good athlete, but you would like to see him employ that on the court. There is still some more upside with Edwards, and his confidence is growing by the game.” – Jamie Shaw, On3’s National Recruiting Analyst