NZL - Edwards a quick learner

AUCKLAND (FIBA U19 World Championship) - New Zealand Junior Tall Blacks forward Richie Edwards has had to adjust quickly since returning to his adopted country.

The USA-born and Christchurch-raised forward only joined the JTBs squad on June 16, after graduating from high school in Florida, and has had a crash course in the team’s offensive and defensive systems.

“It’s been a pretty easy transition,” said Edwards, who celebrated his 19th birthday on Tuesday. “It hasn’t been too bad. It was kinda hard at first but it’s going OK.”

Experience is on Edwards’ side, being part of the Junior Tall Blacks set up since 2005 as a 15-year-old.

“I see myself as kind of a veteran of the team so it’s about communication, belief and to do the things that I have to do on the court to get it done.”

Edwards has certainly brought belief.

The impact of his arrival to the JTBs residential programme in Wellington just over two weeks ago, was immediate, bringing a level of energy and confidence to the squad.

There are many things that could happen for Edwards after the FIBA U19 World Championship but he is keeping his focus on the next 11 days.

Edwards, a 2.01m (6ft 7in) forward, has several potential college scholarship offers on the table from major conference schools, a number that could grow with strong performances in Auckland.

He graduated from high school in late May after leading the Dreadnaughts of Lakeland High, Florida, to the last eight in the Florida state 4A playoffs for the first time since 1978. Now he awaits the scores from his latest SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) taken last month, which could determine his collegiate future at home.

“In an ideal world I’ll get my test scores back and go on to a university,” Edwards said.

“I just know that there’s a lot of things that can happen and a lot of opportunities that can come from playing well.

“I can only think about the next two weeks. I’ve got to handle my business and do what I gotta do and then see what happens after that.

“There has been a lot of schools offering but you can’t do anything without test scores.”

Edwards, who attended Christchurch’s Middleton Grange before heading back to his country of birth in 2006, as a team leader is putting a good amount of responsibility on his own shoulders and is looking forward to the opportunities that could arise.

“This tournament means putting my name on the professional level and being able to go back and making some money from playing this game.

“It’s just a chance to be seen by pro scouts and college scouts. Hopefully I won’t ever have to get a real job and I can just play basketball all my life.”

Yes, in an ideal world.

Basketball New Zealand