David Edwards (basketball)

David Edwards (December 2, 1971 – March 24, 2020) was a former professional basketball player. Edwards stood 5'10" and played point guard.

David Edwards
Personal information
Born(1971-12-02)December 2, 1971
Richmond, Virginia, U.S.
DiedMarch 24, 2020(2020-03-24) (aged 48)
Queens, New York, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Listed height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Listed weight190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High schoolAndrew Jackson
(Queens, New York)
College
NBA draft1994 / Undrafted
Playing career1994–1997
PositionPoint guard
Career history
1994–1996BC Šilutė
1996KR

High school career

Edwards was born in Richmond, Virginia and moved to New York City before high school, living in public housing.[1] and played at Andrew Jackson High School under coach Chuck Granby.[2][3] At Jackson he averaged 41 points per game as a senior.[4] His 947 points during that season was a New York City scoring record.[3] He was considered to be one of the best players to ever come out of Queens, New York. His ability led to debate as to whether or not he was better than future NBA player Kenny Anderson. Edwards played streetball at Rucker Park and was known to impress the crowd.[4] He committed to Georgetown over offers from Iowa and Loyola Marymount.[3]

College career

Edwards played initially at Georgetown University, where he averaged 5.4 points per game as a freshman.[2] He posted 14 assists in this first game.[1] Through his first 12 games Edwards led the Hoyas with 89 assists.[3] He experienced disagreements with coach John Thompson and transferred.[4] This disagreement was based on Thompson focusing on big men such as Alonzo Mourning and Dikembe Mutombo, and Edwards later admitted was immature and was not "a complete player."[5]

Edwards transferred to play at Texas A&M under Kermit Davis, but Davis resigned after one season due to recruiting violations. Davis was replaced as head coach by Tony Barone, and Edwards needed time to adjust to the coach's structured offense.[6] As a senior, he averaged 13.3 points, 5.6 rebounds and 8.8 assists per game.[1] He was one of six players to post a triple-double on consecutive games on March 5, and March 10, 1994. His 265 assists as a senior remain a school record.[7] During his senior season at Texas A&M, he was the runner-up for the Frances Pomeroy Naismith Award, given to the best senior in the country under 6-feet tall.[5] Edwards was a three-time All-Southwest Conference selection. During his career at Texas A&M, he tallied 1,167 points, 602 assists and 228 steals, and he was the school's assists and steals leader until 2016 when he was surpassed by Alex Caruso.[1][8]

Professional and post-basketball career

Edwards began his professional basketball career in Lithuania on BC Šilutė.[9] He signed with KR in the Icelandic league in October 1996 and played one season.[10]

Edwards served as a recreation manager at the non-profit organization Elmcor Youth and Services Activities. He coached basketball at The Mary Louis Academy in Queens.[1]

Personal life and death

His father, Dave Edwards was a 4-year player and a 3-year captain at Virginia Commonwealth University.[11][5] He had two sons, David and Corey. Corey played basketball at George Mason and coaches at Montverde Academy.[1]

Edwards died of COVID-19 on March 24, 2020.[7]

References
  1. Roberts, Sam (March 27, 2020). "Dave Edwards, College Basketball Assist Wizard, Dies at 48". The New York Times. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  2. "Player Bio: David Edwards (1989-1990)". Georgetown Basketball History Project: Player Directory. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  3. Berkowitz, Steve (January 12, 1990). "EDWARDS PUTS THE HOYAS ON GUARD FOR THE FUTURE". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  4. Raimondi, Marc (May 18, 2008). "Like father, unlike son". TimesLedger. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  5. Goff, Steven (January 18, 2013). "George Mason basketball's Corey Edwards diverges from his father's path". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  6. "COLLEGE BASKETBALL; Don't Tell David Edwards He Can't". December 22, 1993. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  7. "Ex-Texas A&M guard David Edwards dies after battling coronavirus". ESPN. March 24, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  8. "Former Texas A&M basketball player David Edwards dead at 48". USA Today. Associated Press. March 25, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  9. "UEFA sarjas läks väljakuperemeestel täbaralt". Digar.ee (in Lithuanian). April 4, 1996. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  10. "Fyrrverandi leikmaður KR lést af völd um veirunn ar". Mbl.is (in Icelandic). March 25, 2020. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
  11. "Ross helped put VCU on the map". Richmond Times-Dispatch. September 12, 2008. Retrieved June 3, 2020.
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