Kentucky freshman Justin Edwards tabbed to Preseason Player of the Year Watch List

Justin Edwards, Kentucky men’s basketball’s top-ranked freshman, has hauled in another impressive preseason honor.

On Monday morning, Edwards was one of 50 players named to the Naismith Trophy Men’s Player of the Year Watch List. He is one of just two freshmen to crack the list, joining Southern California rookie point guard Isaiah Collier, and is one of eight SEC players. Since the award’s inception in 1969, only two Kentucky players have won it — Anthony Davis in 2012 (one of only four freshmen to do so) and Oscar Tshiebwe in 2022.

Edwards made his college debut on Monday night during Kentucky’s 86-46 season-opening win over New Mexico State. In 28 minutes played for the Wildcats, he finished with 12 points on 5-11 shooting (2-5 3PT) to go along with five rebounds, one assist, two steals, and three turnovers. He’ll suit up again for Kentucky on Friday when the ‘Cats host Texas A&M-Commerce in Rupp Arena at 7:00 p.m. EST on the SEC Network+.

This isn’t the only preseason recognition for Edwards either. The 6-foot-7 wing was also tabbed as a First-Team All-Southeastern Conference preseason pick by the media, a Second-Team All-SEC selection by the league’s coaches, and even made the Julius Erving Award (nation’s best small forward) Watch List. During Kentucky’s two exhibition matchups against Georgetown College and Kentucky State, the Philadelphia, PA native averaged 13.0 points and 8.5 rebounds on 50 percent overall shooting.

Coming to Lexington, Edwards was considered the No. 2 overall high school recruit from the class of 2023 by the On3 Industry Ranking. Only the aforementioned Collier was ranked ahead of him. Looking ahead, outlets such as ESPN and The Athletic have tabbed Edwards as a potential top-five pick in next year’s 2024 NBA Draft. Long, athletic wings who can play both ends of the floor like Edwards are highly sought-after prospects by NBA front offices.

But first, he’ll play out a hopefully special season with Kentucky.

2023-24 Naismith Men’s Player of the Year Watch List