Why Kentucky? A behind-the-scenes look at Justin Edwards' recruitment

2023 five-star wing Justin Edwards is a Wildcat, choosing Kentucky over the Tennessee Volunteers on Monday.

From a talent perspective, it’s a home-run commitment for John Calipari and the Kentucky program. Ranked No. 9 overall and No. 2 among small forwards in the On3 Consensus, the 6-foot-8 lefty is as versatile as they come. He’s long, athletic and skilled, capable of knocking down shots and finishing at the rim with force. He shines brightest on the opposite end of the floor, though, with the ability to guard one through four while being a terror in the passing lanes.

In terms of all-around talents in the rising senior class, it’s hard to find a better fit for Kentucky than Edwards. He simply plays the game the right way, willing to do whatever it takes to help his team win. The versatile wing can stand out as a star or coexist alongside other elite talent.

That’s just the player itself. His recruitment and ultimate commitment to Kentucky, though, is further proof that John Calipari still has his fastball, one he’s comfortable throwing when necessary.

It’s no secret Edwards grew up rooting for Kentucky and has always wanted to play for Calipari in Lexington. It was the dream school from day one, a pro-focused environment that helps turn dreams into reality. From the time he emerged as a top blue-chip prospect, the charmingly blunt native of Philadelphia has made that clear.

On Kentucky’s end, though, the staff also extended scholarship offers to the likes of JJ Taylor, Mackenzie Mgbako, Mookie Cook, Matas Buzelis and Andrej Stojakovic, casting a wide net in a deep group of wings.

Elsewhere, Tennessee pushed all its chips in on Edwards, making it clear from day one he was the program’s top priority in 2023. The Volunteers planned to build their recruiting class around him, carving out a star role with all the minutes and shots he could ever dream of. He would be the guy in Knoxville, a pitch that resonated well with the top-10 prospect.

“I look at how many wings they’re recruiting in our class,” Edwards told KSR at the Pangos All-American Camp in June. “Kentucky is recruiting probably four other five-stars. That doesn’t really determine me going there or not, but, you know? I’m the main priority for Tennessee wing-wise. I don’t think they’re recruiting another wing.”

Kentucky had the early lead, sure, but Tennessee emerged as the clear favorite this winter through the spring. He liked the blue-blood appeal with the Wildcats, but the Volunteers continued to show the most love out of any school on Edwards’ list. UT head coach Rick Barnes and assistant Rod Clark had knocked this recruitment out of the park and were in tremendous position to land a commitment.

And then John Calipari stepped in.

The Kentucky head coach took over starting in April, first bringing his entire staff with him to visit Edwards at his home in Philadelphia. He then visited the five-star wing during every in-person recruiting period to close out the spring and throughout the summer, ranging from back-to-back Philly Live events during the scholastic period, NBPA Top 100 Camp in Orlando, various EYBL stops and the 2022 Nike Peach Jam in North Augusta. Every setting, every opportunity, Calipari was courtside.

His direct contact matched his travel efforts, something the five-star wing noticed.

“It’s Coach Calipari, so if he’s reaching out to you more than all the other coaches, it must mean something,” he told KSR at Peach Jam this past week. “That’s a big thing to me.”

Behind the scenes, Calipari and the Kentucky coaching staff worked tirelessly to close that gap and regain momentum, selling Edwards on developing as a pro alongside other pros. It’s fun to think about unlimited shots and minutes as the go-to star on a team, but will that get him prepared for the league? He experienced that pressure this EYBL season as the lone star on Team Final, forced to carry the scoring load and lead his squad to victory game after game. Edwards produced — he averaged 15.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.0 steals per contest at Peach Jam last week — but took a beating in the process while closing out each game visibly gassed.

Kentucky’s argument: Why take that unnecessary beating as the lone soldier out there night in and night out? Why fight through double teams and take bumps and bruises looking to make something out of nothing, playing out of your comfort zone out of necessity? Why not go to a place where you can play to your strengths and not only hide your weaknesses, but work them out of your game entirely under Coach Cal and alongside other pro talent?

UK made it clear you can still be a star if you want to be one — and the staff is certain he can be — but you don’t have to be the only one.

Those in Edwards’ circle made it clear early that Tennessee had the best pitch and worked the hardest to land the prized five-star prospect. He liked Kentucky growing up, sure, but those around him stressed that the Volunteers had done the best job from start to finish and would likely be the ultimate landing spot. There were times Edwards would wake up ready to commit that day, sold that Knoxville was the right fit for his future.

Late in the summer, though, those same individuals couldn’t help but tip their caps to John Calipari for personally taking over and working tirelessly to flip the momentum. When the race got close, Kentucky didn’t trust its status as Edwards’ long-time dream school to push itself over the edge. Instead, Calipari pressed on the gas even harder. Before long, the prized recruit who woke up ready to make a spontaneous commitment to Tennessee just weeks before was all-in on Kentucky. Race over, done deal.

The Volunteers pulled out of the race entirely down the stretch, leaving Edwards’ game at halftime on the first day of the live period this past week at Peach Jam out of frustration. Once seen as the heavy favorite, Tennessee felt it was wasting its time, with Rick Barnes leaving the event entirely to recruit elsewhere to close out the week. That would end up being a solid business decision on his end.

It’s a major recruiting victory for Kentucky over Tennessee, now the second in back-to-back years after pulling off a similar commitment from five-star guard Cason Wallace.

When Calipari goes all-in on a player, he rarely misses. Edwards is the latest example.