Syracuse Basketball: Jesse Edwards is confident despite a lack of run

Syracuse basketball sophomore Jesse Edwards likes the competitiveness at the center spot.

Of the five high-school players who committed to Syracuse basketball in the team’s 2019 recruiting class, I’ve always found Jesse Edwards to be the most intriguing prospect.

After he pledged to the Orange, I read a lot of articles in which recruiting analysts, coaches and others spoke to the big man’s strong offensive skill-set, his ability to proficiently score in the paint, and his soft touch.

Edwards, a 6-foot-11 sophomore center, suited up in 21 contests as a freshman during 2019-20, and he tallied 6.9 minutes, 2.4 points and 1.7 rebounds per affair, according to ESPN statistics.

Those are not mind-boggling numbers, but then again, it didn’t surprise me that Edwards didn’t play more, given that then-junior Bourama Sidibe served as the starting center.

Now, coming into this stanza, Syracuse basketball possessed four centers on its roster, in Sidibe, Edwards, redshirt freshman John Bol Ajak and freshman Frank Anselem.

However, to date in 2020-21, Edwards is getting less court time than Ajak and Anselem. Plus, Sidibe suffered a knee injury in the ‘Cuse term-opening win over Bryant at the Carrier Dome.

Once Sidibe got sidelined, I figured that Edwards would get a bump up in head coach Jim Boeheim’s rotation, yet that hasn’t proven the case.

Syracuse basketball sophomore center Jesse Edwards has a positive attitude and mindset.

At this juncture in 2020-21, the Orange is 6-2 heading into its Saturday evening bruiser with former Big East Conference foe Georgetown on the Hill.

Per ESPN, Edwards has appeared in four encounters, collecting 3.0 minutes, 0.8 points and 0.5 boards a game. With Sidibe out, Boeheim has primarily relied on senior Marek Dolezaj at center, although I’m hopeful that Edwards will see a bit more action as this campaign continues.

Regardless of how much playing time Edwards is receiving, he maintains confidence and a terrific work ethic. A native of Amsterdam, Netherlands, Edwards suited up for the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., prior to joining Syracuse basketball.

Speaking about improvements in his craft, Edwards said via cuse.com, “I’m more physical, more confident, and more adept to my position and role in the team. There still is a lot of work to do but I feel good.”

As it pertains to the Orange having a quartet of centers within its line-up, Edwards added, “I enjoy the competition. It is always good to play against a new style and player on the court. The workouts are competitive, and there is some more trash talking going on too!”

His attitude is top-notch, and I’m sure that at some point in the future we’ll have an opportunity to watch more of Edwards on the court displaying his talents.