Pepperdine junior Kessler Edwards declared for the 2021 NBA Draft on Friday but retained the option of returning to school.
The 6-foot-8 forward made the All-West Coast Conference team for the second straight season in 2020-21 after averaging 17.2 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 27 games (26 starts).
“It’s every basketball player’s dream to play in the NBA, and that’s right here in front of me so I’m going to give everything I have to do it,” Edwards told ESPN. “I’m testing the waters for now and won’t be hiring an agent.”
Over three seasons with the Waves, he has averaged 13.3 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in 92 games (84 starts). He has shot 46.9 percent from the field, 39.5 percent from 3-point range and 78.9 percent from the free throw line.
He scored a career-high 37 points and grabbed 11 rebounds in an 85-68 victory over Pacific on Jan. 21.
Edwards, 20, earned MVP honors while leading the Waves to the championship of the College Basketball Invitational in March.
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–Field Level Media