Carsen Edwards caught everyone’s attention during Purdue’s NCAA Tournament run. The junior guard averaged 35 points per game in the tournament, including two 42 point performances against Villanova and Virginia. Edwards averaged 24 PPG (points per game) for the Boilermakers during the season while shooting almost 40% from the field and 35.5% from beyond the arc. Edwards is a pure scorer. When the ball is in his hands you’re almost guaranteed a shot attempt and when he shoots the ball, it usually goes in.
Carsen Edwards’ Strengths:
Durability
Edwards is one of the most durable players I’ve seen come through Purdue. He’s built his body to be like an NFL running back or corner and the guy can straight up take a beating. He started every game for the Boilers his sophomore and junior seasons and routinely fights his way to the room on guys who are five to six inches taller than him. If there was a stat for the number of times a guy gets hacked in paint, Edwards would’ve lead the country. As mentioned, he started every game last year even though he battled back injuries all season. He’s built like a tank and is as tough as they come.
Scoring
I said it once and I’ll say it again. Carsen Edwards is the best pure scorer in this draft. He can pull up from the logo like Steph Curry. He loves coming off a high screen and isn’t afraid to poster anyone. I’m not playin. Edwards makes shots and creates shots and that’s important when transitioning to the NBA. The guy can score with the best of them and when he gets hot there is no stopping them.
Edwards’ Weaknesses:
Height
Edwards is only 6’0″ which makes him undersized for an NBA guard. Guys like Kemba Walker and Allen Iverson have made it in the league at that size, but they’re point guards while Edwards is more of a score first shooting guard. Not saying that Edwards couldn’t and wouldn’t play the point in the NBA, but his height will be a disadvantage. He makes up for his height a little bit with his 6’6″ wingspan which could help him become a lockdown perimeter defender. If Edwards was five inches taller, he’d be a top five pick no doubt.
Streaky
If you watched Purdue during the regular reason it was obvious that Edwards can get cold as well as he can get hot. At times he tries to do too much and can find himself going 1-10 from three and 3-15 from the field. Learning to play a complimentary role instead of being the go to guy will be a challenge for Edwards early on. A lot of times when he tries to carry the load he ends up being nonexistent, but when he’s hot, he’s HOT>
NBA Comparison
During the NCAA Tournament Jay Bilas called Edwards a “Thicc (yes two Cs) Allen Iverson.” Not saying that they’ll be the same player, but they’re both undersized for their position and share a lot of the same skillsets. Both can shoot the ball at an extraordinary clip and they’re both as elusive as they come. In the NBA I’d expect him to play a similar role to Quinn Cook in Golden State. Cook comes off the bench and provides quick and efficient scoring and that’s exactly what Edwards will bring to the table.
Fit
I see Carsen Edwards going late first round or early second round. The 76ers liked him during his workout in Philly. They have the 24th, 33rd, and 34th picks which are all in the area he’s projected to go. Golden State is another team I could see snagging him late in the first. They like to shoot the three and score fast. Edward’s speed and range would fit well in their offense. If Edwards happens to fall more towards the middle of the second round I could see the Charlotte Hornets drafting him. The Hornets need scoring anywhere they can get it, especially if they don’t bring back Kemba Walker. The Hornets have already developed one undersized guard into a perennial all-star so why couldn’t they do it again?
