Rookie of The week…check. Rookie of The Year? Maybe. Canadian Justin Edwards taking NCAA by Storm!
Justin Edwards Statistics as of December 7, 2011 through 5 games
- PPG: 20.2 (#22 in NCAA)
- RPG: 6.2,
- APG: 1.6
- BPG: 1.6
- SPG: 3.2 (#2 in NCAA)
- FG: 59% (#77 in NCAA)
- 3P FG: 50% (#81 in NCAA)
- FT: 86%
PHOTO COURTESY: YAHOO/ BANGORDAILYNEWS
ORONO,MAINE–Simply put, Canadian freshman guard Justin Edwards of the Maine Blackbears has taken the NCAA by storm.
The 6’3 explosive guard out of Whitby, Ontario had been tearing up the Canadian high school scene, along with partner in crime, Dyshawn Pierre all of last season.
Therefore, it does not come as a surprise that the NPH #8-ranked 2011 Canadian prospect is having an impact year for his Maine Blackbears. However, what is most impressive is the level of excellence that Edwards is displaying.
If you take a moment to analyze his statistics, you will begin to understand how truly remarkable his performance has been thus far.
He currently ranks at #2 in the entire NCAA in the steals category at 3.2 per contest and #22 in scoring at 20.2 PPG. He leads all freshman in scoring!
Edwards is the only player in the NCAA outside of Doug McDermott (Creighton) to be averaging 20 points or more in less than 30 minutes of playing time.
“To me it doesn’t come as a surprise because I have been working hard for a number of years now to be in the position, so I know what I can do,” Edwards told NPH.
For his outstanding performances, he has been named America East rookie of the week for the third-striaght week. This feat has been accomplished only seven times in league (America East) history and the first since 2006.
“My goals were to come in, be an impact freshman, lock up on defense, make the first all-conference rookie team, and first all-conference defensive team…and just to get better as an all around player.
Clearly, Mr Edwards is not selling himself short, and rightfully so.
While some may argue that Edwards has not yet seen stiff competition in this early campaign, please refer to the second game of the season where he registered a game-high 20 points against NBA prospect Jeremy Lamb and the #4-ranked team in America, Uconn Huskies.
With such eye-popping evidence in his defense, who is to say that the young Canadian could not aim for something beyond a conference award. Something like an NCAA freshman of the year award?
After a moments pause, Edwards replied, “It is definitely something I would LOVE to accomplish and that I will strive to accomplish…I just think there are players that have huge names that may get it because of their names”
What he may be overlooking is the fact that he is also progressively making a name for himself.
JUSTIN EDWARDS…remember it.
