NBA Comparison: Kessler Edwards

Strengths: Wing with very good combination of length, defense and shooting ability … Potential 3-D type for the NBA level .. Shows very good ability as a catch and shoot threat … Good form on his shot and shows a smooth and quick release to get shots off before defenders can crowd him or alter his shooting motion … Comfortable handling the ball in the open floor … Smooth shooting stroke and shows some ability to pull up off the dribble as well as catch and shoot …  Excellent length for a wing with a 6’10 wingspan and 8’9 standing reach … His length allows him to play more athletic … Does a solid job of cutting backdoor to free himself for easy buckets … Can utilize the turnaround hook on occasion … 41% from three as a senior, on a solid volume with 2 makes per game . 37% over college career  … Shows solid ability defensively, utilizing his length and foot speed … Still seems to have some untapped potential … Solid in transition, utilizing his athleticism and length to make plays at the rim …

Weaknesses: Turned 23 in May, making him one of the older prospects in this year’s draft … Lacks great body strength with narrow shoulders … At 213 lbs, could stand to put on another 10-15 lbs of muscle … A solid athlete, but not an extraordinary leaper, as his 32 inch max vertical illustrates … Not a number one option type. Averaged 9.4 ppg over four year career, 12.2 ppg as a senior … Struggled to be a consistent performer. (13 games in single digits scoring) . Seemed to play to his ability sporadically … Not much of a passer. Averaged less than one assist (0.9 apg) over his four year college career … Despite high level shooting, he did not develop into a number one option at the college level … Lack of floor game, ball handling and passing kept him from becoming a star … Limited as a facilitator and isolation player … Lack of a great first step and ball handling ability has limited him from being a great ISO player … Also explains why he’s used more as a role player than a featured offensive weapon … For whatever reason, seemed to struggle to play to his abilities at times in college … Can be a little stagnant on offense, parking beyond the three point line …

Outlook: A bit of a late bloomer that has shown slow but steady progress throughout his college career … Really impressive highlight tape, and when he’s on his game looks like a very talented prospect … Best used in catch and shoot situations, offensively … Projects as a mid-second round to late second round pick … Despite not being a college number one option, could function perfectly as a role player at the next level …

Notes: Measured 6′ 6.75” barefoot, 8′ 9.00” standing reach, 213.4 lbs, 6′ 10.00” wingspan, 25 standing vert, 32 max vert at the 2024 NBA Draft Combine … Native of Fairmont, West Virginia … Played his first two of his four college seasons at West Virginia …

Aran Smith 6/16/24