Dave Edwards, Former Hoya And Queens Basketball Legend Loses Battle To Coronavirus

Queens finest gets receives his wings

They say death comes in threes, but since COVID-19 has made its way to this side of the Atlantic, over 582 lives have been claimed by the mystery virus, clearly debunking this myth.

Further complicating the serious nature of this infectious anomaly is the idea that Black people are immune. The rationale behind such an ignorant notion is due to the lack of reported infections and/or deaths of regular, degular, smegular Black folks.

The mindset that the virus is a conspiracy or hoax, until someone in close proximity is affected, is like double-daring mother nature to bring someone else demise to prove a point—and that right there is selfish. Many Black folks have been adamant and so damn contrarian, about following protocols and universal precautions, they not only put themselves at a greater risk but also others many of us hold dear—and that right there is reckless.

That said, it is with heavy heart, I must tell you that Southside Jamaica, Queens, lost a real one—a G.O.A.T.

On March 23, Dave Edwards, basketball legend, died from coronavirus, according to The Dallas Morning News. Such tragic news has a way of travelling. At around 8 p.m. EST, a wave of tributes flooded social media from the likes of New York State Assemblyman Clyde Vanel, Norfolk State University basketball coach Robert Jones and NBA Memphis Grizzlies’ Kyle Anderson:

RIP DAVE EDWARDS. He was a basketball star at Andrew Jackson HS in the 80s and at Georgetown (89-90). He was a legend in the city. It is with a heavy heart that I announce that he passed today due to #coronavirus #covid_19 pic.twitter.com/luGOM1ga5L — Clyde Vanel (@clydevanel) March 24, 2020

Rest In Peace to Queens basketball legend and a solid dude Dave Edwards ! Coronavirus is real !!!! STAY SAFE!! — Robert Jones (@NSUCoachJones) March 24, 2020

🙏🏽RIP Dave Edwards. always admired you and Corey’s bond just like me and my pops. NYC basketball lost a great one today 😢 https://t.co/qpshPvl1nJ — SLOWMO (@KyleAnderson5) March 24, 2020

Days prior, retired NBA baller Kenny Anderson shouted out Edwards in a tweet stating, “My guy please get better, David Edwards!” That tweet was followed up with a more recent post, revealing that Edwards was hospitalized:

My childhood friend Dave Edwards is in Hospital God Bless you my guy get well !! pic.twitter.com/PQ1vbMWlGf — Kenny Anderson (@chibbs_1) March 23, 2020

Several tweets suggested that Edwards was in ICU fighting the Coronavirus but provided no further details. A slew of others posted their condolences.

Long before Edwards was a legend among legends, balling alongside fellow Hoyas Alonzo Mourning and Dikembe Mtumbo, during his college career at Georgetown University in 1989-90, he threw up major numbers as a student athlete at Andrew Jackson High School in Queens, New York. He was known to drop an average 41 points per game.

After a short stint playing under John Thompson, he went on to play for Texas A&M University, and wrapped his collegiate career with “1,200 points, 650 assists, 250 steals and 400 rebounds.” The New York Times reported.

The Southside stunner dazzled on the livest asphalt in NYC: 40 park, Ajax, and Rucker park in Harlem, where he earned the name Low-Key. His prowess on the ball courts was nothing short of performance. The dance in the heel, swift of the arch, the bob, the weave and the thunderous dunk was fine art. Edwards bled basketball, but he embodied so much more beyond the free throw line.

Dave was a staple and a servant in his community where he mentored youth from the South Jamaica Houses, better known as 40s Projects, and the surrounding Queens area. Coach Dave, as he was affectionately called, nurtured and coached young athletes who took an interest in basketball, and supported girls basketball as well.

Dave will be forever known for his robust smile, menacing laugh and slick wit. Not a humorous moment, nor gut busting joke was lost on Low-Key. He would roast a nigga with the slam dunk arm and love ’em with the lay up hand. He was a solid dude. A real stand up guy. He was a leader, a father, a son, a family man and friend. Dave is someone I’m proud to have known and regarded him the big homie.

Dave Edwards was Queens Finest.