Carsen Edwards: From Purdue Prodigy to EuroLeague Standout

Carsen Cade Edwards (born March 12, 1998) is an American professional basketball player who has made his mark both in college basketball with the Purdue Boilermakers and in the professional ranks, currently playing for Virtus Bologna of the Italian Lega Basket Serie A (LBA) and the EuroLeague. Known for his scoring prowess and dynamic playmaking, Edwards has garnered numerous accolades throughout his career.

Early Life and High School Career

Born in Houston, Texas, Edwards attended Atascocita High School. Initially involved in both basketball and football during his sophomore year, he ultimately chose to focus solely on basketball. As a junior, he showcased his talent by averaging 23.6 points, 4.9 assists, and 4.9 rebounds per game, earning the prestigious Player of the Year award from the Houston Chronicle.

Impactful Freshman Season at Purdue

Edwards made an immediate impact upon arriving at Purdue University. During his freshman season, he appeared in all 35 games, starting in 21 of them. He averaged 10.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 1.8 assists per contest, demonstrating his ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game. His performance earned him recognition as the Big Ten Freshman of the Week on January . He scored 19 points, including the first eight of the game, in the Big Ten-opening win over Iowa (Dec. 28). In the season opener against McNeese State, he scored 18 points with six rebounds. He recorded 17 games of 10 or more points. In the Big Ten Tournament loss to Michigan, he scored 17 points with three steals. In the Cancun Challenge title-game victory over Auburn, he tallied a season-high 21 points. He was named No.

Sophomore Surge and All-Big Ten Honors

As a sophomore, Edwards elevated his game, averaging 18.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game. His stellar play led to his selection to the First Team All-Big Ten. He also led Purdue to a school-record 30-win season, solidifying his status as a key player for the Boilermakers. On February 22, 2018, Edwards scored a then career-high 40 points, shooting 11 for 19 from the field in a 93-86 win over Illinois.

Junior Year: A Scoring Sensation

Edwards' junior season was nothing short of remarkable. He led the Big Ten and ranked ninth nationally in scoring, averaging an impressive 24.3 points per game. While his shooting efficiency dipped slightly compared to his sophomore year (from 46.8% to 39.4% overall, and from 40.6% to 35.5% from three-point range), his increased shot volume (around 19 shots per game compared to 13.5 the previous season) reflected his role as the team's primary offensive weapon.

Edwards' scoring exploits included setting a school single-game scoring record with 50 points, achieved by going 13-of-15 on 3-point attempts. He became the first Purdue player to score 40 points in a game since Rick Mount in 1970, achieving this feat against Illinois in late February.

NCAA Tournament Dominance

The 2019 NCAA Tournament saw Edwards reach new heights. He was named the South Regional's Most Outstanding Player, averaging 34.8 points per game and setting an NCAA Tournament record with 28 made three-pointers.

On March 23, Edwards scored a career-high 42 points on just 21 shots in an 87-61 win over the defending champions, Villanova. Against Tennessee, Edwards scored 29 points in a Sweet Sixteen victory. In the Elite Eight against Virginia, Edwards made 10 of his 19 three-point attempts, just one shy of the NCAA tournament record, and setting a school record. He ended up scoring 42 points, but only scored two in the extra period as Virginia prevailed in overtime.

He broke many records in the 2019 NCAA tournament, including the single-tournament 3-point record with 28.

Accolades and Recognition

Throughout his junior season, Edwards received numerous accolades, including:

B1G Freshman of the Week (Jan.)
Edwards Named B1G Player of Week (Jan.)
Edwards Named to Wooden Watch (Feb.)
Edwards Selected to West Award List (Feb.)
Edwards Named to Naismith List (Feb.)
NCAA.com Player of the Week (Feb.)
Big Ten Player of the Week (Feb.)
Edwards Named All-Big Ten (Feb.)
Edwards Nabs National Honor (Feb.)
Edwards Unanimous AP All-Big Ten (Feb.)
Blue Ribbon Yearbook Preseason Player of the Year (Aug.)
Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year (Oct.)
Preseason Bob Cousy Award watch list (Oct.)
Preseason AP First-Team All-American (Oct.)
Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List (Nov.)
Big Ten Player of the Week (Nov.)
Big Ten Player of the Week (Dec.)
Big Ten Player of the Week (Feb.)
Consensus second-team All-American

NBA Career

On June 20, 2019, Edwards was selected with the 33rd overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics, after his draft rights were traded by the Philadelphia 76ers. During the 2019 NBA Summer League season, he averaged a team-high 19.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists in 23.4 minutes over five games. On July 14, 2019, the Celtics announced that they had signed Edwards.

He made his NBA debut on October 23, 2019, in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers, scoring three points and grabbing a rebound. On November 13, he scored a career-high 18 points in a win against the Washington Wizards.

Edwards' time with the Celtics concluded when he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies in September 2021. However, his stint with the Grizzlies was short-lived, and he was subsequently acquired by the Detroit Pistons in November 2021. He played a few games with the Pistons in April 2022.

Transition to European Basketball

In July 2022, Edwards embarked on a new chapter in his career, signing with Fenerbahçe Beko of the Turkish Basketball Super League.

On July 21, 2023, Edwards signed a one-year contract with Bayern Munich to play in EuroLeague for a second consecutive season. On June 14, 2024, Munich defeated ALBA Berlin in the finals to win the Basketball Bundesliga championship.

Read also: NBA Prospect Profile: Edwards

Edwards finds new EuroLeague home in Italy.

Player Profile and Style of Play

Carsen Edwards is known for his explosive scoring ability, particularly from beyond the arc. His quick release and deep range make him a difficult matchup for defenders. He is also a capable ball-handler and playmaker, able to create opportunities for himself and his teammates.

Edwards' personality and work ethic are highly regarded, aligning well with the values of the Purdue basketball program.

Career Statistics

Note: The following abbreviations are used in the statistics:

GP: Games Played
GS: Games Started
MPG: Minutes Per Game
PPG: Points Per Game
FGM: Field Goals Made
FGA: Field Goals Attempted
FG%: Field Goal Percentage
3FGM: Three-Point Field Goals Made
3FGA: Three-Point Field Goals Attempted
3FG%: Three-Point Field Goal Percentage
2FGM: 2-Point Field Goals Made
2FGA: 2-Point Field Goals Attempts
2FG%: 2-Point Field Goal Percentage
FTM: Free Throws Made
FTA: Free Throws Attempted
FT%: Free Throw Percentage
PPS: Points Per Shot
TS%: True Shooting Percentage
EFG%: Effective Field Goal Percentage

Awards and Achievements

South Regional's Most Outstanding Player (2019)
Consensus Second-Team All-American (2019)
First Team All-Big Ten (2018)
Big Ten Freshman of the Week (Jan.)
B1G Freshman of the Week
Edwards Named B1G Player of Week
Edwards Named to Wooden Watch
Edwards Selected to West Award List
Edwards Named to Naismith List
NCAA.com Player of the Week
Big Ten Player of the Week
Edwards Named All-Big Ten
Edwards Nabs National Honor
Edwards Unanimous AP All-Big Ten
Blue Ribbon Yearbook Preseason Player of the Year (Aug.)
Big Ten Preseason Player of the Year
Preseason Bob Cousy Award watch list
Preseason AP First-Team All-American
Naismith Trophy Preseason Watch List
Big Ten Player of the Week
Big Ten Player of the Week
Big Ten Player of the Week
Basketball Bundesliga champion (2024)

tags: #carsen #edwards #purdue #statistics