K-State’s Justin Edwards ready for another chance at stardom

Justin Edwards is still trying to live up to expectations

A year ago, Kansas State basketball players pointed to Edwards as the man they thought would lead the team in scoring.

Nothing has changed now that he is a senior. The Wildcats still think Edwards has the athleticism, skill and aggression to score at will.

Only this time he plans to follow through.

“I am extremely ready,” Edwards said. “I can’t wait until the first game.”

Edwards, a Canada native, arrived to campus amid much fanfare two years ago. He transferred to K-State from Maine, where he led the America East Conference in scoring as a sophomore. He didn’t play big-name competition often, but when he did he drove to the basket and put strong numbers, scoring as many as 30 points in a game. The assumption was he could do the same in the Big 12, especially after a year of practice with the Wildcats.

He dominated pickup games and dunked with authority.

Teammates bought into the hype. Former guard Marcus Foster told everyone that he expected Edwards to overtake him as the team’s leading scorer.

But it was too good to be true. Edwards averaged 6.3 points, showing promise at times and disappearing at others.

“It was an adjustment year for him,” K-State coach Bruce Weber said. “It took him time to understand how hard it is and how good this level is. Confidence level was a factor. You start doubting yourself, and things become that much harder.”

K-State needs Edwards to evolve this season. He is the top returning scorer, and if he doesn’t up his offensive game, who will?

“There is going to be a lot more scoring load for me this year, especially with the guys who scored the most last year gone,” Edwards said. “But I am ready for it.”

One thing that will help: K-State is returning to its motion roots.

Weber scrapped his motion offense a year ago because his guards were better at creating off the dribble than they were cutting and making precision passes. He thought the Wildcats could run and beat opponents in high-scoring games, but it rarely worked that way.

K-State thought about Edwards when it changed back.

“It’s going to help him a lot,” associate head coach Chris Lowery said. “It gives him back a lot of creativity, instead of having him stand over here and stand over there. In motion, it gives him a chance to be everywhere on the floor. That is better for a slashing guy like him, instead of camping out where the defense knows where he is going to attack from.

“We are going to see who he is now.”

Edwards is poised to prove himself. He underestimated the Big 12 last season, and is eager to take on the conference with a better mindset.

“Last year was a wake-up call,” Edwards said. “I thought I was ready, but I really wasn’t. Having a whole year of experience, playing in the Big 12 this year, I am going to be really ready. I learned a whole lot.”

Among the most important lessons: never take plays off, expect crazy environments in every Big 12 arena and value stamina more than strength.

He started his junior season at 207 pounds. Now he is closer to 195. He can jump higher and run longer.

His first season at K-State didn’t go according to plan. But he is ready to make amends.

“Coming from Maine, just the atmospheres of all the different colleges surprised me,” Edwards said. “I didn’t expect every single game to be that intense or that hard. It was a whole different intensity and a totally different level. I have adjusted to it now. I am ready for the season.”

This story was originally published November 6, 2015 at 2:11 AM with the headline "K-State’s Justin Edwards ready for another chance at stardom."