Kentucky’s Justin Edwards is first top-3 recruit to go undrafted; can he find NBA redemption on two-way deal?

Justin Edwards went undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft. The former Kentucky wing is the first top-3 recruit to go undrafted in the history of internet-era recruiting rankings (no top-3 prospect, per the industry-generated 247Sports Composite, had ever fallen out of the first round before Edwards). 

Reed Sheppard’s catapult up draft boards to being the No. 3 pick by Houston and the first American off the board is almost too absurd for a Hollywood script. But Sheppard’s remarkable surge is closely correlated with numerous top prospects in the Class of 2023 failing to meet expectations.

Edwards is one of ’em, but he’s far from alone. Five-star Isaiah Collier, once the top-rated recruit in his class, dropped all the way down to Utah at No. 29. Aaron Bradshaw and DJ Wagner, fellow five-stars who headlined Kentucky’s ballyhooed recruiting class, had underwhelming freshman seasons and hit the transfer portal after John Calipari dipped for Arkansas. Michigan State’s Xavier Booker, Iowa State’s Omaha Biliew and UCLA’s Aday Mara were all once projected as potential first-round picks, but the trio struggled to even get on the floor in college.

The top prospects in the Class of 2023 struggled mightily, and Edwards — who ranked 30th in CBS Sports’ prospect rankings ahead of the draft — was not immune. 

Explaining what went awry for Justin Edwards

“The reality is that nothing was what we expected at Kentucky this year,” said Adam Finkelstein, 247Sports’ Director of Scouting. “Sheppard was way better than anyone expected. Rob Dillingham too. Justin Edwards, DJ Wagner, and Aaron Bradshaw all underachieved relative to their five-star expectations.”

Edwards’ game is far from broken. The 6-foot-6, 190-pound wing shot over 37% on 82 catch-and-shoot 3-pointers. But he was merely an off-ball, play-finisher for a Kentucky squad anchored by a backcourt trio of pros. Sheppard, Rob Dillingham (No. 8 to Minnesota) and…

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Author : Isaac Trotter

Publish date : 2024-06-28 15:28:23

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