2024 NBA Draft: Justin Edwards Prospect Profile
Justin Edwards will be the first Top-3 ranked recruit to play for Coach Calipari in 8 years. How does he stack up?
Justin Edwards
Wing | 6’7 | 180lb
Incoming Freshman @ Kentucky Wildcats
Last played at Imhotep Charter High (From Philadelphia, PA)
D.O.B: 12/16/2003 (20.5yrs on draft day)
#3 overall in HS class of 2023 per 247 Composite
#3 overall (#1 SF) per 247
#3 overall (#1 SF) per Rivals
#1 overall (#1 SF) per ESPN
Top 5 projected in 2024 NBA Draft per my first-glance evaluation
Instant Advantages
Looks to be a reliable shooter at the wing position, and has enough flashes to project him as a competent shoot/pass/dribble guy on the wing. In fact, he’s skilled enough to profile as a shooting guard prospect on offensively, where he would grade out much better as an NBA-level of athlete at 6’7
Projects to hold up well as a perimeter defender, and is decently disruptive as an on-ball defender. Has quick reflexes when the ball is up for grabs, and is generally reliable on the boards
Swing Skills
His offensive package is intriguing, but I can’t say I expect him to be an elite on-ball creator, more of a passable creator. Is his destiny to play as a complementary player, or can he be efficient enough to earn heavy usage?
Will Edwards’ competency as a defender be limited to one or two positions on the wing? Or can he be competent guarding some PG’s and bigs as well?
Additionally, can he establish himself as either an elite on-ball wing defender or a disruptive off-ball presence?
Potential Kryptonite
He’s good at a lot of things, but nothing about his game looks like it translates to an elite NBA talent. Can he maximize a couple of his existing advantages and develop an elite skill or two? Or will Edwards be limited to the level of NBA competence?
247 lists him at 6’7, 180lbs. He is young, but Edwards will need to bulk up to compete with stronger NBA wings, and if he can’t capably guard the vast majority of NBA wings, his value as a playoff starter falls into question
NBA Team Fit
Best Fit - A relatively established franchise with long-term holes on the wing
Indiana Pacers
San Antonio Spurs
Portland Trailblazers
Worst Fit - A poorly run young team with existing on-ball talent
Charlotte Hornets
Houston Rockets
Chicago Bulls
Ideal Teammates
PG | Combo guard with size and length
SG | Volume 3pt shooter
SF | -
PF | Switchable wing-sized defender
C | Rangy rim protector
Key Traits
Call Your Own Shot - Coaches have consistently trusted this player to create their own shot in half-court settings, whether from the perimeter or on the block, whether off an isolation or a Pick & Roll
Pull-up Picasso - Excellent ability to freeze defenders and create space for pull-up jump shots, and accurate enough for those shots to be a valuable option for the offense
Universal Defender - This player has no issues guarding a wide spectrum of players at their position, and can capably flex out to other positions in a pinch
Towering Marksman - This prospect commands substantial defensive attention on and off the ball, as it is exceedingly difficult to properly contest given the player’s height and shot-making ability
Player Scales
Perimeter Focused
Perimeter-Flex
Balanced
Interior-Flex
Interior Focused
Wisps of Potential
Consistent Flashes
Productive w/ Upside
Consistent Production
Proven Prospect
Crafty Navigator
Sneakily Shifty
Moderate Mover
Light-Footed
Nimble Ninja
Compact King
Mid-Sized Sedan
Well-Built
Sizable Opponent
Big Ol’ Boy