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2022 Nike EYBL Louisville Session Interview: Justin Edwards

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Photo By Jay Doe Films

Over the course of this past weekend at Nike EYBL’s latest session in Louisville, I was most impressed with Justin Edwards. Ranked as a top-five prospect, Edwards may be the complete all-around player in the 2023 class, and after watching him play, it is easy to see why.

While many players put on impressive performances, Edwards was able to show maturity within his game that is much older than his age, helping his EYBL team, Team Final, to an undefeated weekend. The 6-foot-7 forward was able to consistently make the right play on offense and make good reads on defense.

Edwards’ coaches gave me two minutes in between games to have a brief interview with the versatile talent, and this is what he had to say.

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There have been reports that Kentucky has gained ground in recruitment recently. Is that correct, and what did they talk to you about?

Yeah. They said they can help me be successful in basketball. They showed all the stuff they have done and all they have accomplished over the years. They showed me how I could be one of the guys on that list (successful Kentucky players).

As the lead recruiter, what has Coach Antigua been talking to you about most recently?

Uhm, nothing really. I talk to Coach Calipari a lot though. He’s been checking in and keeping in touch with me. That is a big part because the head coach keeping in touch makes me feel like I am one of the main guys (recruiting targets).

Your Imhotep head coach, Andre Noble, has talked about how much relationships mean to you. What schools have done the best job at that?

Kentucky and Tennessee. They have pulled themselves away.

You made a big jump in the latest 247 Sports recruiting rankings. What does that say about you and your game?

Nothing really, I still have a lot of work to do. It just shows that they’re recognizing me, but I still have more to do. My goal is to be No. 1.

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Edwards can shoot, pass, defend, and find his teammates. Combine that with his improved athleticism and basketball IQ, and Edwards could contend to be the best player in this class.

Check out this brief breakdown to get up to speed with Edwards.

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BB Recruiting

Kentucky Earns Commitment From European Big Andrija Jelavic

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ABA League j.t.d./Dragana Stjepanovic

Earlier today, Mark Pope and the Kentucky Wildcats received the commitment from Andrija Jelavic, a 6-foot-11 big from Croatia.

As first reported by ESPN’s Jonathan Givony, Jelavic is one of the most highly regarded European prospects that is taking his talent to the NCAA.

Soon to be 21 years old, Jelavic averaged 10.8 points per game on 60% shooting from the field to go along with 7.4 rebounds per game for Mega Superbet, the same club that NBA Champion and three-time MVP Nikola Jokic played for.

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As a shock to most, who were expecting Pope’s next commit to be a guard of some sorts, international players can now sign lucrative NIL deals. Kentucky, along with several of the elite colleges, are now in the European market. 

Jelavic, with shades of current European big men, can do just about everything on the court. He can shoot, dribble, pass, finish at the rim, etc. With a very relevant comparison, Jelavic plays almost perfectly in the replacement role of Andrew Carr. 

His commitment now makes him the fifth member of Pope’s additions this offseason, joining Kam Williams, Jaland Lowe, Mouhamed Dioubate and Jayden Quaintance. 

With a 7’2” wingspan, joining an already impressive Kentucky frontcourt, it’s safe to say for certain that this new team will not lack in that department. 

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Next year’s roster was loaded with talent already, but now with the addition of Jelavic, lots of questions are arising: Who will start? How many more players is Pope going to add? What will happen with the walk-ons? 

There’s plenty to think about for Pope and his staff before the season starts, but like he said back when he introduced himself to Big Blue Nation, “We’re here to win banners.” He’s going to make the moves he thinks will do just that for the Wildcats. 

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Four-Star Guard Acaden Lewis Suddenly Decommits from Kentucky

Amidst a recent wave of positive recruiting news for Kentucky, the surprising decommitment of Acaden Lewis is an unfortunate wrench.

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2025 four-star point guard prospect Acaden Lewis has decommited from Kentucky.
UK Athletics

In a shocking, late at night turn of events, four-star freshman Acaden Lewis has decommitted from Kentucky.

Lewis, a 6’3” point guard out of Washington, D.C. first committed to the blue and white in November of last year, following an in-person visit with Mark Pope in his hometown.

Since then, he’s made multiple appearances in Rupp Arena, been featured in photo shoots with his fellow incoming recruits, and spoken on multiple occasions about his excitement to join the team for the 2025-26’ season.

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To say this development is surprising would be a serious understatement.

Lewis released a statement following the announcement, “This was an incredibly difficult decision, but I have to do what’s best for my future,” he said. “Thank you to Coach Pope and the whole Kentucky staff for all they’ve done for me so far.”

While the loss of Lewis is certainly disappointing, there is still much to look forward to next season for Kentucky, who maintain one of the highest rated transfer classes in the nation – and it likely isn’t finished.

To that point, if any reason can be derived immediately for Lewis’ decommitment, it may be found in the same place that Mark Pope and staff will be going to look for answers: the transfer portal.

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Top 10 Transfer Prospect, Former Wildcat Recruit Jayden Quaintance Commits to Kentucky

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2024 five-star big man Jayden Quaintance has commmitted to play basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats
UK Athletics

Two days into the week and two booms for the Kentucky Wildcats as Jayden Quaintance announced his commitment to Kentucky on Tuesday morning.

If the Quaintance name sounds familiar, it should. He was originally committed to play for the Cats out of high school last season as a five-star recruit. While he was interested in staying at Kentucky following John Calipari’s departure, even meeting with Mark Pope, he elected to play for Arizona State.

In his one season with the Sun Devils, Quaintance averaged 9.4 PPG, 7.9 RPG, and 2.6 BPG, and earned Big 12 All-Freshman and All-Defensive honors.

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The one concern for Quaintance is that he had surgery to repair a torn ACL, which could keep him out for the entire offseason and potentially into the season. That said, the expectation for a return is September, and at just 17 years old, there is so much untapped potential.

Get to know the newest Wildcat commit!

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