Why Carsen Edwards' decision to enter NBA Draft should benefit both him and Purdue

WEST LAFAYETTE — Sitting inside Cardinal Court last October, Carsen Edwards opted not to identify the sources of the chip on his shoulder.

The then-incoming sophomore had heard grumblings and doubts about his abilities. He chose to internalize them, process them and feed on them as motivation.

Maybe he need that fuel. His quest for improvement had rarely rested since he was a high school freshman bugging coaches for the keys to the gymnasium in Atascocita, Texas.

As expected, Purdue announced Monday that Edwards will participate in the NBA Draft evaluation process this summer without hiring an agent. He retains the option to return to school next fall as the presumptive Big Ten Conference Preseason Player of the Year. Players wishing to retain collegiate eligibility must withdraw from the draft by May 30.

Perhaps Edwards will impress scouts enough to assure a too-good-to-pass up offer to leave for the NBA. While 6-1 guards are the exception to the rule at that level, Edwards' big-time scoring ability and athleticism clearly made an impression.



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Yet Monday's announcement should not be taken as his first step away from the Boilermakers. Edwards' decision is also the next crucial one in his endeavor to become the best possible player at Purdue.

The feedback received through this opportunity is unique and incredibly valuable, Look no further than the successive improvements in Caleb "Biggie" Swanigan, Vincent Edwards and Isaac Haas after their summers on the pre-draft workout circuit.

Following Friday's loss to Texas Tech in the East Region semifinals, Edwards put off discussion of the NBA.

"I'm just taking this in," Edwards said, gesturing around a locker room humid with emotion.

The no-risk, high-reward option, however, seemed too lucrative to pass up. Purdue coach Matt Painter said if Edwards asked his advice, he would recommend testing the waters.

"Nobody's opinions really matter except the NBA," Painter said after the loss in Boston. "So when you go there — go to the workouts, go to the combine, whatever the situation might be for each individual — listen to what they're saying and listen to where they say you're going to be and why you're going to be there and what you need to do.

"For so many people the draft becomes an ego trip — 'Where am I going to get drafted? The question should be, 'Where am I going to play?' The whole point is to get on a team and play on a team not just to get drafted."

Edwards' growth from a freshman to a sophomore was both impressive and essential to Purdue's success. He flashed much of the same raw talent as a freshman — a fearless shooting stroke with at time unguardable range, the quickness and agility to create plays at and en route to the basket and instincts that set a high defensive ceiling.

Then Edwards went out and played more high-level basketball than anyone on the roster, beginning with the FIBA U19 World Cup squad that took the bronze in Egypt. Next came Purdue's silver medal stint as Team USA in the World University Games.

Those natural abilities began to round into form as Edwards' game matured. He blossomed into a first team All-Big Ten Conference selection and All-American.

Edwards averaged 18.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists while leading the Boilermakers to the program's 30-victory season. He arguably established himself as the best guard in the Big Ten.

All of which brought Edwards not to a destination, but to a new starting point.

"I feel like I'll take the same approach I did last summer," Edwards said last Friday about the offseason. "I'll try to make small improvements in every area. I still have a lot of work to do."

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Purdue needs Edwards more than even next season. They'll also need him in more ways than ever. Headed out the door are a three-year starting point guard in P.J. Thompson, a lock-down perimeter defender and prolific shotmaker in Dakota Mathias and a versatile catalyst in Vincent Edwards.

All three also held team captaincies for multiple seasons.

If the NBA Draft process tells Edwards he's ready for a roster spot, then his self-improvement plan is officially ahead of schedule.

If not, the experience can help him take on a little bit of all of those roles for the Boilermakers.

"Carsen's capable of anything," Painter said. "He's one of the best players in the country. He was a top-three player in our league this year. I think that's pretty impressive for a sophomore. So it's just trying to build off it.

"Any time you have success, it's not trying to come back and duplicate what you did, it's trying to come back and improve on what you've done."