The commitment of five-star forward Justin Edwards last week presents Kentucky with an invaluable asset for their 2023-24 roster: defense-first talent on the wing. Since the days of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, this luxury has been scarce — and its absence has frequently bitten the ‘Cats in March. As the flow of college offense shifts increasingly to the perimeter, securing two-way talent at the three is becoming increasingly crucial.
Edwards’ arrival is still a year away, and his skillset isn’t terribly flashy or unique. He brings a versatile offensive game with catch-and-shoot ability, a solid handle, and elite ball-hawking instincts on defense; but what he signifies is much larger.