How Anthony Edwards impacts Georgia’s basketball program moving forward

The post-Anthony Edwards era is officially underway.

The SEC Freshman of the Year announced Friday his intentions to forego the rest of his college career and enter the 2020 NBA Draft. But just because he won’t be in Athens next season doesn’t mean he won’t still cast a shadow over the Georgia program.

UGA head coach Tom Crean reflected on the mark Edwards made on the team Friday afternoon. He said the phenom’s arrival could be felt from the moment he stepped on campus.

“There was an intrigue, there was an excitement,” Crean said. “It was brought to life with the attendance that we had.”

Crean said Edwards’ improvement from June to the end of the season rivaled anything he’s seen as a coach. In addition, he repeatedly praised Edwards’ abilities as a teammate who consistently lifted the energy of his teammates around him.

Going forward, Crean can use both of those traits when recruiting potential future Bulldogs.

That improvement surfaced on both ends of the court, moving without the ball on offense and doing more and more on the defensive end. Crean acknowledged that it didn’t always show up in the box score, but he loved the growth he saw from Edwards as the season wore on.

“I like to say we’re trying to open up their growth plate,” Crean said. “We’re really trying to open up their growth plate so that their best basketball is certainly still going to be ahead of them, but that we’ve helped open up things that maybe they didn’t have before.”

In the final four games of the regular season, Edwards averaged over 23 points per contest while largely showcasing improved shot selection. He ended the year with a six-point performance in the SEC tournament win over Ole Miss, but he also dished out four assists and played solid defense.

Despite any struggles he might have had on the court, Edwards remained a positive force in the locker room. His energy spread to his teammates both in practices and in games.

Crean anticipates NBA scouts will ask just as many questions about Edwards’ personality as they will about his game. It’s also that kind of “moxie” that he wants to find in future Bulldogs.

“I think what’s important is that you don’t get guys that see themselves as independent contractors,” Crean said. “A huge part of that is what kind of teammate you are. You have to build a level of chemistry.”

Even with the potential No. 1 pick in the NBA draft, the Bulldogs finished 16-16 overall and 13th in the SEC with a 5-13 record in the regular season. Crean anticipates teams using that against Georgia in recruiting, but added that’s just part of the business and it’s countering those negative tactics that is important.

This year’s team will be losing a player that averaged 19.5 points per game in the regular season, nearly seven points more than any other player. He made 72 3-pointers on the season, 23 more than the next closest player, Tyree Crump.

Crean says shooting will be an emphasis in recruiting going forward, as well as finding players who are quality teammates. With Edwards moving on to represent the program at the next level, Georgia’s head coach now has a great recruiting pitch.

“Your dreams can come true at Georgia just like they can anywhere else,” Crean said.