Prospect Spotlight: Rahsaan Edwards (2019)
St. Maria Goretti has gotten off to a strong start at 4-0 this season. With a starting lineup comprised of seniors, they’ll be a tough opponent for anyone on their schedule. Luckily for new head coach Sid McCray, he has a coach on the floor to help his transition in Rahsaan Edwards.
Edwards is a 5-foot-11 point guard that checks all of the boxes when you are evaluating for a true floor general. Both Edwards and McCray are close with one another, which only helps the overall team cohesion.
“Coach Sid is my guy,” Edwards continued, “my first year at Goretti was also his first year. He really took me in and took me under his wing. Ever since then we’ve been on the same page. This team is different from last year’s because we had a lot of freshman and sophomores. This year, we’re a senior heavy team and the younger guys improved, which helps a lot in practice when we battle each other. It prepares us better for adversity and how we handle it. Last year in a game like tonight, we would’ve folded, but this team is different and we know how to close games.”
The game Edwards was referring to was their season-opener against Boys’ Latin where Goretti came back to win a close 60-56 match up. Edwards was the main reason for the comeback as he scored eight of his 11 points in the third quarter to give Goretti the lead. He was outstanding in breaking his man down off the dribble and knocking down mid-range shots. In terms of development, Edwards main focus is consistency.
“After tonight, I’m getting in a gym and shooting free throws,” Edwards said following the win at Boys’ Latin. “I was 2-for-8 and that can’t happen as a point guard. But for the most part, my pull-up is pretty consistent. My on-ball defense is really what I pride myself on. Continuing to be consistent game after game and hitting shots and making sure even when I’m not hitting shots, I need to be vocal to my teammates and get after it on the defensive end.”
What stood out immediately to me is Edwards willingness to talk on both ends of the floor. In the first half, he was struggling to make plays, but when looking at Edwards demeanor and communication, you couldn’t tell a bit.
“I’m a talkative guy off the court, so it really just comes natural,” Edwards told Prep Hoops. “Once I realized that’s what coaches want and as a point guard, you’re an extension of the coach on the floor, so I knew I had to fill that role. That’s what I’m known for now at Goretti. I’m a talkative guy, a leader, and like to be a guy who others can come to and feel like they can be heard.”
Having a guy like Edwards can help a program’s culture. Edwards continued to speak on his willingness to communicate and how he is motivated to pass along his leadership to the younger players so that in the future, Goretti will have a long list of players who carry themselves the same.
In terms of recruitment for Edwards, some low-major schools are starting to show interest. Radford, Lehigh, Campbell, Howard, Longwood and Holy Cross are all a part of that list. Cal U (PA) and Goldey Beacom are two Division II programs tracking Edwards as well.
“A lot of guys are committing, so I just have to be smart with my decision,” Edwards said. “I’m being patient. A lot of schools said they would come out and watch me this season so I just have to prove I’m worth it.”
Edwards is ranked by Prep Hoops Maryland as a top 40 prospect in his respective class. For the full class rankings, click here!