Now that the 2024 NBA Draft is complete, the Sixers turn their attention to the undrafted free agent market.
The team moved quickly, agreeing to a two-way deal with Philly native and Kentucky product Justin Edwards, a source confirmed to Liberty Ballers. Shams Charania of The Athletic was the first to report the news.
Edwards was named Pennsylvania’s Mr. Basketball in 2023 after leading Imhotep to a second straight state championship. Joined by Camden’s D.J. Wagner, he was part of yet another impressive recruiting class for Kentucky. The 6-foot-8 wing was a consensus five-star recruit with multiple outlets considering him a top-three player in the country.
Though Edwards came to college with much fanfare, he had an inconsistent one-and-done year with the Wildcats. In his lone season in Lexington, the 20-year-old Edwards averaged 8.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game with 48.6/36.5/77.6 shooting splits. He was overshadowed by fifth-year senior Antonio Reeves and a pair of top-10 picks in Reed Sheppard (No. 3 overall, Houston Rockets) and Rob Dillingham (No. 8 overall, Minnesota Timberwolves (via trade)).
In Edwards, the Sixers get a long wing with a smooth lefty shooting strike. He’ll have to refine the rest of his game, but he’s absolutely the type of player worthy of a two-way spot. At this time last year, Daryl Morey and the front office landed Ricky Council IV and Terquavion Smith as undrafted free agents. Council earned minutes as a rookie and Smith shined in the G League for the Delaware Blue Coats.
This should add even more intrigue to the team’s Summer League team. Expect Council and Smith to join the newly-acquired Edwards, Jared McCain and Adem Bona in Vegas and Utah.