Orlando Antigua explains Justin Edwards' real value, says high-scoring game will come

In Orlando Antigua’s preview of Kentucky vs. Mississippi State, UK’s assistant head coach was asked about Justin Edwards, the High School All-American experiencing freshman growing pains in Lexington. Edwards has started in every game of his young Wildcat career, but his minutes have dipped as the season continues. Still, Edwards shows flashes of his NBA potential, and Antigua believes a breakout game isn’t much further away. However, when that day comes, it may look different from how many fans expect a breakout.

“Everybody thinks that it’s got to be about offense, but it’s not,” Antigua explained. “Justin is not just a guy that can score the ball. His versatility, his ability to defend multiple positions, his ability to offensive rebound, his ability to guard smaller guards, bigger guys; that is his real value.”

Antigua said Kentucky asks Edwards to be well-rounded and will continue to expect him to be well-rounded as the staff encourages better effort from everyone, defensively and on the glass. The scoring? Antigua predicts a new high is around the corner.

“There’s going to be a game where he has a 20, 30-point game. It’s in him. But that’s not what just makes him. He’s a very good basketball player that’s well-rounded.”

Through 15 career games, Edwards ranks sixth among Wildcats in scoring with 9.1 points per game and season highs of 16 against Texas A&M Commerce and 13 at Louisville before the new year. He also set his season high in rebounds with seven in each of those games.

Against Texas A&M last Saturday, Edwards took a step forward, albeit in a loss. He hit both of his three-point tries in College Station and grabbed four rebounds, playing 22 minutes on the road. He also logged an assist, a steal, and a block with no turnovers.

“I think one of the highlights of the last game was how well Justin played,” Antigua said of Edwards’ bounce-back game. The performance came in response to a rough night against Missouri last week, in which Edwards went 2-for-7 from the field and hit the side of the backboard on a corner three. Edwards was visibly troubled by his struggles against the Tigers, leading Calipari to wonder, “what is the inner talk?”

But like Antigua, Calipari sees Edwards’ best basketball ahead. “In a month from now, you will all say WOW, this is what they were talking about.”