Recruiting Report: Kessler Edwards (2018)
If there’s been one consistent question mark surrounding the game of Kessler Edwards, it’s been that he doesn’t look to get his own shot enough.
Edwards has taken note of those types of comments, and after the first live period he played with Prodigy Elite 17s, it’s clear he came into the summer club basketball season with heightened aggression on the offensive end.
“I’ve been working on my game a lot,” he told Prep Hoops at the Double Pump Summer Kick Off. “That’s allowed me to become more confident and more aggressive.”
Edwards proved that statement with a handful of drives off the wing and dunk attempts in traffic, when at the same point last year, he would have probably pulled up for a mid-range jumper.
The 6-foot-7 wing said that he’s focused on bettering himself in many aspects of the game this season, especially perimeter skill development.
“I’m using the summer to be more confident with the ball on the perimeter and being smarter on defense,” Edwards said. “ I just keep getting taller and longer. To match that, I’ve been getting stronger, faster and more athletic. I’ve been working on my shot too.”
The rising senior, whose brother, Kameron, was an All-WCC Freshman at Pepperdine in 2015-16, said he tries to adopt a few things from his sibling.
Prodigy Elite wing Kessler Edwards’ improved ball skills have given him the confidence to be more aggressive attacking the basket.“We kind of play different, Edwards said. “He’s a lot bigger and stronger and better on the inside. I look at his inside game to improve my game.”
The Etiwanda High star made his name as being a rangy perimeter player with a pretty jump shot and immense upside, but his final high school season will be a little different as longtime Eagles coach Dave Kleckner recently stepped down.
Edwards anticipates having an increased leadership role and is excited about help the new head coach gain his footing.
“Yeah, definitely,” he said of being taking on more leadership. “Kleck is still going to be around to help the new head coach, so I can help with the transition, too.”
Edwards recruitment is not slow by any means and has a variety of options when it comes to college programs, including high academic institutions as he sports a 3.6 grade point average.
“I’m looking at Rice, Stanford, Nevada, Utah State, Pepperdine, Montana and Grand Canyon,” Edwards noted.