It was a frustrating (unofficial) debut for Justin Edwards in the NBA, to put it lightly. The Summer League is your chance to make a strong first impression as a pro, a time meant for players to show their new franchises why they made the correct decision in bringing them in. You can show off your game in ways you maybe couldn’t in college or plan to build upon at the next level, even if it means some shooting inefficiencies or turnovers — at least you’re trying.
Edwards is the prime example of someone who needs this opportunity. Entering his freshman year at Kentucky as a potential No. 1 pick with a lottery floor, he wound up going undrafted and signing a two-way deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. If there was ever an opportunity to prove he’s the same player today as he was thought to be in high school and the fit in Lexington was just never there, it’s now.
And then he went for a game-low zero points on just two shot attempts in 18 minutes, adding one rebound, one assist, one steal and two turnovers in his debut. Miller Kopp of the Oklahoma City Thunder played three minutes in garbage time and still managed to get three shots up — two being makes. Edwards was a no-show, passive and timid as he hung out on the perimeter waiting for the action to come his way rather than asserting himself as a legitimate contributor. He looked like a deer in headlights.
As a fan of Edwards the player and person, it was infuriating. I want him to succeed and prove doubters wrong, hoping a fresh start back home as a pro was what he needed to get his groove back as the former No. 2 overall recruit in the class of 2023. Then it was more of the same.
Fortunately for him, though, it was one Summer League game with plenty more opportunities to come. And he wouldn’t have to wait long for the next one, his Sixers taking on the Grizzlies the very next night, Edwards finally breaking through.
The former Wildcat jumped out to a quick start with three made 3-pointers before finishing with 14 points on 5-7 shooting and a perfect 3-3 from three while adding three rebounds, two steals and two blocks in 25 minutes. Mostly a catch-and-shoot specialist and slasher in blue and white, Edwards was pulling new tricks out of his bag Kentucky fans didn’t get to see much of during his time in Lexington.
And when the open looks came his way, the 6-7 wing converted.
As for his former teammate Tre Mitchell, he earned his first pro bucket in his debut with the Thunder, as well. After sitting out in the team’s opening-night matchup against Edwards and the Sixers, he took the floor against the Jazz on Tuesday.
The former Cat went a perfect 1-1 from three for three points with four rebounds in four minutes in a 98-75 win for OKC.
His make was one Big Blue Nation saw plenty of during his lone season in Lexington: a catch-and-shoot three from the top of the key.
Another thing Kentucky fans (unfortunately) saw plenty of to close out the season? Jack Gohlke, who shared the floor with Mitchell as he hit his first three as a pro.
It’s truly what nightmares are made of.
The Thunder will take on the Grizzlies tonight at 7 p.m. ET on NBA TV while the Sixers face off against the Jazz at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Time to build off that momentum from Tuesday (while forgetting what happened on Monday).
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