Justin Edwards: NBA draft scouting report and intel

2003 | 6’6 | 6’10 WS | 209 LBS

Team: Kentucky

Agency: Klutch Sports

Best aggregate mock draft rank: 25 / Worst rank: NR

2023-24 stats:

In 2023-24, Edwards averaged 8.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.2 blocks, and 0.9 steals per game. He shot 48.6 percent from the field, 36.5 percent from three, and 77.6 percent from the foul line.

Strengths:

* Touted as the No. 3 overall recruit by ESPN, Rivals, and 247 Sports

* Demonstrates athleticism and versatility on both ends of the court

* Shows promise as a solid contributor defensively

* Strong off-ball movement and timing on cuts

* Robust physique and a wingspan measuring 6-foot-10

* Displays good instincts as a help-side rim protector

Weaknesses:

* Lack of creation ability beyond attacking closeouts

* Shooting efficiency remains a glaring weakness

* Offensive limitations raise doubts about NBA readiness

* Defensive prowess falls short of elite standards

* Handle and playmaking skills are insufficient for a creator role

* NBA draft prospects uncertain, may fall into the 40s range

* Potential role player status if drafted

* Returning to college basketball for sophomore season may be beneficial for exploring other programs and maximizing potential

Scotto's draft notes:

“If Edwards leaves for the NBA, I think he ends up in the 40s somewhere, and he could become a role player,” an NBA scout told HoopsHype.

“I see an NBA role player so far,” an NBA scout told HoopsHype. “I see the appeal with Edwards as a defender, but I haven’t seen the scoring instincts people said he had in high school.”

“There would be a lot of college teams that would like to take Edwards if he stayed in college and transferred,” an NBA executive told HoopsHype. “He could go almost any place because of his talent level and because of what people think they can get out of him if they coached him differently than at Kentucky.”

“People that like Edwards will say Devin Booker wasn’t that great under John Calipari at Kentucky too,” an NBA scout explained. “The guard play isn’t going to do him any favors there with DJ Wagner and Robert Dillingham because both are score-first guards. He’s been good at McDonald’s in the past. I can see a bit of a Hood comparison, but Rodney Hood shot better than Edwards does now.”

“I liked what I saw from him in the summer when he was in EYBL,” an NBA scout told HoopsHype. “He just hasn’t figured it out. Kentucky might not have been the place for him. He’ll probably go in the draft unless he goes somewhere that’s giving him a bunch of NIL money.”

“Edwards is a little older for a freshman (20) and isn’t the most in-shape guy,” an NBA scout told HoopsHype. “There’s a Shabazz Muhammad comparison with Edwards that some people may not want to hear. When he’s on, there’s a Rodney Hood comparison to be made. He’s fine. I think you can win basketball games with him as a role player.”

Excerpts from HoopsHype’s Aggregate Mock Draft from colleague Michael Scotto, who contributed research to this story, can be found here.