Film Room: Justin Edwards

Welcome to Big Blue Nation, Justin Edwards! On Monday night, the 5-star small forward chose the Kentucky Wildcats over the Tennessee Volunteers. Coach John Calipari made up a lot of ground since taking over the lead role in Edwards’ recruitment. Long thought to be headed to Tennessee, Coach Cal was able to flip the script over the last couple of weeks. A total of 12 projections across On3, 247Sports, and Rivals had been logged since July 12 in favor of UK.

Anytime you landed a Top 10 prospect, Edwards is ranked No. 9 overall in the On3 Consensus, it is a big deal for your program. However, that is especially true when you can beat out a rival for their services. Getting this 6’7″ skilled wing will certainly help Kentucky, but it also is a blow to Coach Rick Barnes and the Vols.

Justin Edwards joins a recruiting class of 4-star shooting guard Reed Sheppard and 5-star point guard Robert Dillingham. In the world of recruiting, nothing is ever certain until you see the ink dry on a National Letter of Intent. However, Kentucky’s class is starting to really gain some momentum. With decisions still looming for high priority prospects like DJ Wagner and Aaron Bradshaw you can’t help but get excited for what this class will end up looking like.

Now, let’s take a step inside the KSR Film Room to learn more about Justin Edwards. The smooth left-hander is thought of as a skilled wing with impressive athleticism and length. There is a ton of upside to his game as well as transferrable tools that will make him an instant impact player in Lexington. Here is a deeper look into breaking down his game.

Perimeter Shot-Making

Kentucky fans have been clamoring for shooting ability for years now. The 2023 recruiting class is shaping up to be a group who can really put the ball in the basket. Justin Edwards is a consistent three-point shooting threat who has proven to make them at a high percentage. The 6’7″ small forward did not shoot the ball well at the Peach Jam. However, leading up to the event, he shot 39% from deep on over four attempts per game during the EYBL season. Making that percentage on that volume of attempts proves he can be a shot-maker at the college level.

Edwards displays good balance and a repeatable shooting stroke on his three-point attempts. Coming out of the corner to receive the handoff he sizes up his defender and notices the space he has. With the defender a couple steps off to guard against the right hand drive, and with under 10 seconds on the shot clock, Edwards rises up and knocks in the three off of the dribble.

This is where Justin Edwards is at his best as a shooter. He is very good on the pick-and-pop. He will slip some screens into a pop or set them and pop into space. You can see how on balance Edwards is when he elevates to shoot. The footwork isn’t always perfect as he has a severe inward left knee bend, but once he gets to his release point everything stacked and looks good. His upper body mechanics are sound with good hand positioning and a great follow through.

Edwards is going to be at his best when his feet are set and he is able to catch-and-shoot. These are the type of threes you can expect him to make for the Wildcats as a freshman. He steps into the catch, has great balance through his hips up to his shoulders, and a very quick release. Easy to imagine him being a guy who could make 50 or more three-pointers as a freshman.

Attacking off the Dribble

While Justin Edwards is a good three-pointer shooter, but at Kentucky he will likely just shoot the open ones. We shouldn’t expect him to be a guy who is creating off of the dribble from beyond the arc like Robert Dillingham will or potentially DJ Wagner. However, the 6’7″ left-hander is excellent at attacking closeouts and driving downhill to the rim. His handle can be a bit loose, especially when he has to change directions, but when he can attack in a straight line to his left he is hard to guard.

These are the type of plays you can expect to see from Edwards from the moment he steps on campus in Lexington. His athleticism and length allows him to get downhill in a hurry and get by his defender. In this clip he rejects the ballscreen so he can come back to his left hand. It takes him just one dribble to get from the wing to the rim where he lays it in through multiple help defenders.

Here is another look at Justin Edwards operating from the pick-and-pop. A quick first step got him by his primary defender and then extended out at the rim to finish. Again, just two dribbles to get from a couple steps above the wing on the right side to finishing on the left side of the rim. Straight line drives to his left are his bread-and-butter.

More evidence of the 5-star small forward whipping his man off of the bounce. Edwards’ burst from the point of attack, and then his length to finish at the rim, makes him such a tough cover for opposing defenders. His ability to be a 35% or better three-pointer shooter really helps in this area of his game as well. Defenders have to get out and be close enough to take away the threes against him. However, that opens up his ability to drive. That constant defensive dilemma is what makes him one of the top prospects in the country.

Defense & Hustle

This isn’t always an area you would expect to stand out when evaluating a 5-star, Top 10 high school prospect. However, Justin Edwards plays with a great motor and has the tools to be an excellent defender at the next level. His above-average length at 6’7″ helps him both the ball and disrupt shots around the basket. He is very good at seeing the floor defensively, makes great help side rotations, and showcases the necessary instincts to go take the ball. Edwards will be a very good “team” defender from day one.

Edwards is an excellent off-ball defender. It is as simple as that. He has great instincts, reads the floor well, and can anticipate passes as well as any prospect in the class. Plays like this put all of that on display as he drops towards the level of the ball, begins to read the ball handler’s eyes, and explodes into the passing lane using his length to secure the steal and slam it home on the other end.

This play shows Edwards getting another steal just two minutes after the prior clip in the same quarter. He is all the way in at the midline, which is where he should be, as the wing ballscreen happens. Then, with is teammates trapping the ballscreen, he reads the pass to the roll man and is able to shoot the passing lane for a steal. Edwards can be a truly impactful defender for Kentucky as a freshman.

There shouldn’t be any motor concerns when Justin Edwards comes to campus. After missing out on the offensive rebound attempt, Edwards stays in the play coming from behind to tip the ball loose and secure the steal. Then, he dribbled out to the corner and knocked in the long two-pointer.

This is where having long arms comes into play defensively. Edwards closed out a couple of steps short, as he should when guarding KJ Evans, but was still able to bother the ball with his outstretch hand. He averaged three steals per game at the Peach Jam.

Justin Edwards – Bottom Line

It doesn’t take a seasoned basketball scout to be able to evaluate Justin Edwards as an elite-level prospect. As a 6’7″ wing that can make three-pointers at a good percentage, is a dangerous straight line driver, and will be ready to guard multiple right away he truly has a complete package. Coach Calipari seemed to find some of his old recruiting mojo over the last couple weeks as he pushed the ‘Cats passed the Vols to secure the 5-star small forward.

Playing next to skilled playmakers like Reed Sheppard and Robert Dillingham, not mention potentially DJ Wagner, will bring out the best in Edwards’ game. His catch-and-shoot ability will really be unlocked playing alongside guards like that while he will also benefit from the space they create when attacking closeouts. Defensively, Edwards should be able to guard the 2-4 spots well. This Philadelphia native attending Imhotep Institute is now the newest piece of what is shaping up to be a historically great Kentucky Basketball recruiting class. Welcome aboard, Justin Edwards!