Jesse Edwards – Syracuse Orange
2022-23 season stats: 14.5 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 1.6 apg
When long-time head coach Jim Boeheim stepped down and was replaced by Adrian Autry, the Orange was hoping to retain as much of its key core as well. It looked as if they were only going to lose Joe Girard to the transfer portal but this past week, they also ended up losing arguably its best player in Edwards.
The 6’11 center from the Netherlands became a rebounding machine this past season, ranking 2nd only to Norchad Omier in the ACC, as well as 12th nationally. That included a 21-rebound game against Bryant. Edwards had five games of at least 20 points, including a pair of 27-point games this past season.
The big man also was named to the All-ACC defensive team, thanks to averaging nearly three blocks a game in the past two years. He had a pair of 6-block games and getting out of the zone defense could help him on that end even more.
Kansas is one of three reported contenders for Edwards, with Gonzaga and fellow Big 12 program, West Virginia. Both of the other two teams have a clear hole at center and the big man has taken a visit to the Mountaineers. If the Jayhawks can’t land him, they may have to play against Edwards in league play next season.