NBA Draft Scouting Report: West Virginia's Jesse Edwards

Prospect Profile

A five-year college player, Edwards is certainly older for a draft prospect, but has a skillset that should translate at the next level. The current West Virginia center spent four years at Syracuse before transferring this season. He boasts good footwork, soft touch and natural feel for the game.

Edwards is a double-double machine that actually averaged nearly 15 points and 10 boards last season at Syracuse. He’s a highly effective scorer, but doesn’t have a perimeter shot. Given his age and level of experience, it’s unlikely that ever comes around. In more than 100 career collegiate games, Edwards has essentially been a non-shooter from 3-point range. Even then, he’s effective from inside the arc and makes the most of every shot which is promising for a complimentary role player trajectory.

An All-ACC and ACC All-Defense honoree, Edwards has proven to be a quality defender and overall producer. Coming into this season at West Virginia, he had notched more than 80 steals and 160 blocks in his college career. With his height, length and mobility, the 6-foot-11 big can really make things happen on that end.

Edwards’ older brother played at the college level before going overseas to compete professionally. The near 7-footer from Amsterdam will be 24 on the night of the 2024 NBA Draft, but is worth a look late in the second round. He was a member of the Dutch National Team that competed in the 2022 FIBA Eurobasket, which is just another stage he’s been able to perform well on.

Highlights

Draft Projection

Potential Second-Round Pick in 2024 NBA Draft.

2024 Big Board

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