Despite not being selected in the first round of the 2024 NBA Draft on Wednesday night,
Justin Edwards of
Imhotep Charter (Philadelphia) has displayed one of the highest upsides of any prospect still on the board following a dominant high school career in Pennsylvania.
As a senior, Edwards averaged 17.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per contest to guide the Panthers to their second consecutive Class 5A state championship and the No. 5 spot in the final MaxPreps Top 25. Edwards earned state player of the year honors and was selected as a third team MaxPreps All-America selection in 2022-23.
In 2021-22, the 6-foot-8 wing earned second team MaxPreps Junior All-America honors after tallying 18.3 points and 8.3 rebounds to guide Imhotep Charter to the Class 5A state championship and the No. 11 spot in the final MaxPreps Top 25.
Former five-star prospect Justin Edwards led Imhotep Charter to a 94-15 record over his four year career. (Photo: Jimmy Simmons)
During his four years with the program, Edwards led Imhotep Charter to a record of 94-15. COVID-19 wiped out the Panthers' opportunity to capture state championships in 2019-20 and 2020-21.
Coming out of high school, Edwards was regarded as the No. 3 overall prospect in the Class of 2024 according to
247Sports.
Edwards pumped in 11 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals in just over 21 minutes of game action in the McDonald's All-American Game and was named Co-MVP of the 2023 Iverson Classic after producing 20 points.
In one season at the University of Kentucky, Edwards averaged 8.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per outing while shooting 48.6 percent from the field, 36.5 percent from 3-point range and 77.6 percent from the free throw line.
In a 117-95 victory over Alabama in February, Edwards showed flashes of his elite potential by producing a career-high 29 points, five rebounds and two steals on 10 of 10 from the field, 4 of 4 from 3-point range and 4 of 5 from the free throw line.
According to Kyle Boone's
mock draft on CBSSports, Edwards is projected to be the first selection in the second round to the Toronto Raptors.
