Kessler Edwards
{{Short description|American basketball player (born 2000)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Kessler Edwards
| image = Kessler Edwards (51832460480) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Edwards with the Brooklyn Nets in 2022
| position = Small forward
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 7
| weight_lbs = 203
| league = NBA
| team = Dallas Mavericks
| number = 20
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|8|9}}
| birth_place = Glendale, California, U.S.
| high_school = Etiwanda
(Rancho Cucamonga, California)
| college = Pepperdine (2018–2021)
| draft_year = 2021
| draft_round = 2
| draft_pick = 44
| draft_team = Brooklyn Nets
| career_start = 2021
| years1 = {{nbay|2021|start}}–{{nbay|2022|end}}
| team1 = Brooklyn Nets
| team2 = →Long Island Nets
| years3 = {{nbay|2022|end}}–{{nbay|2023|end}}
| team3 = Sacramento Kings
| years4 = 2024
| team4 = →Stockton Kings
| years5 = {{nbay|2024|start}}–present
| team5 = Dallas Mavericks
| years6 = 2024–present
| team6 = →Texas Legends
| highlights = * CBI champion (2021)
- First-team All-WCC (2021)
- Second-team All-WCC (2020)
- WCC All-Freshman Team (2019)
}}
Kessler Donovan Edwards (born August 9, 2000) is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Texas Legends of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Pepperdine Waves.
High school career
Edwards played basketball for Etiwanda High School in Rancho Cucamonga, California. As a junior, he averaged 17 points and nine rebounds per game, earning First Team All-Baseline League honors.{{cite web |last1=Marshall |first1=Pete |title=All-area boys basketball: Chino Hills' LiAngelo Ball is Player of the year |url=https://www.sbsun.com/2017/04/12/all-area-boys-basketball-chino-hills-liangelo-ball-is-player-of-the-year/ |website=The San Bernardino Sun |access-date=April 1, 2021 |date=April 12, 2017}} Edwards averaged 21.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game as a senior and was named Baseline League MVP.{{cite web |last1=Gardner |first1=Michelle |title=Onyeka Okongwu named 2018 Bulletin/Sun All-Area Basketball Player of the Year |url=https://www.dailybulletin.com/2018/04/12/onyeka-okongwu-named-2018-bulletin-sun-all-area-basketball-player-of-the-year/ |website=Inland Valley Daily Bulletin |access-date=April 1, 2021 |date=April 12, 2018}} He competed for Prodigy Elite on the Amateur Athletic Union circuit.{{cite web |last1=Ugland |first1=Devin |title=Recruiting Report: Kessler Edwards (2018) |url=https://www.prephoops.com/2017/07/recruiting-report-kessler-edwards-2018/ |website=Prep Hoops |access-date=April 27, 2021 |date=July 20, 2017}} A consensus three-star recruit, he committed to playing college basketball for Pepperdine.{{cite web |last1=Resendiz |first1=Jacob |title=Dream Realized: Edwards Brothers Play Together on Pepperdine's Mens Basketball Team |url=https://pepperdine-graphic.com/dream-realized-edwards-brothers-play-together-on-pepperdines-mens-basketball-team/ |website=The Graphic |access-date=April 1, 2021 |date=August 26, 2018}}
College career
As a freshman at Pepperdine, Edwards averaged 10 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. He was a WCC All-Freshman Team selection.{{cite web |title=Pepperdine's Edwards Invited to USA Basketball U19 Camp |url=https://wccsports.com/news/2019/5/29/mens-basketball-pepperdines-edwards-invited-to-usa-basketball-u19-camp.aspx |publisher=West Coast Conference |access-date=April 27, 2021 |date=May 23, 2019}} As a sophomore, Edwards averaged 13.8 points and a team-leading 7.5 rebounds per game. He was named to the Second Team All-WCC.{{cite web |last1=Burgess |first1=Jason |title=WCC Basketball: Breakout candidates from each team for 2020–21 season |url=https://bustingbrackets.com/2020/06/19/wcc-basketball-breakout-candidates-team-2020-21-season/6/ |website=Busting Brackets |publisher=FanSided |accessdate=September 21, 2020 |date=June 19, 2020}} On January 21, 2021, he recorded a career-high 37 points and 11 rebounds in an 85–68 win over Pacific.{{cite web |title=Former Etiwanda star Kessler Edwards is having fine season for Pepperdine; will he be in NBA some day? |url=https://www.fontanaheraldnews.com/sports/former-etiwanda-star-kessler-edwards-is-having-fine-season-for-pepperdine-will-he-be-in/article_fdaaa6aa-6afe-11eb-a8de-a7cfcb7eb589.html |website=Fontana Herald News |access-date=April 1, 2021 |date=February 9, 2021}} He led Pepperdine to the College Basketball Invitational title and was named MVP.{{cite web |last1=Jackson |first1=McKenzie |title=Pepperdine Men's Basketball Wins CBI Title |url=http://www.malibutimes.com/malibu_life/article_0c3d622c-91e5-11eb-88d3-9bc98a38845e.html |website=The Malibu Times |access-date=April 1, 2021 |date=March 30, 2021 |archive-date=March 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210331180708/http://www.malibutimes.com/malibu_life/article_0c3d622c-91e5-11eb-88d3-9bc98a38845e.html |url-status=dead }} As a junior, Edwards averaged 17.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, earning First Team All-WCC recognition. On April 23, 2021, he declared for the 2021 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility.{{cite web |last1=Givony |first1=Jonathan |title=Pepperdine's Kessler Edwards declaring for 2021 NBA draft |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/31315929/pepperdine-kessler-edwards-declaring-2021-nba-draft |website=ESPN |access-date=April 27, 2021 |date=April 23, 2021}} He later signed with BDA and WME Sports, forgoing his remaining eligibility.{{cite web |last=Vault Jr. |first=Jacoby |title=BDA and WME Signs Kessler Edwards |url=https://sportsagentblog.com/2021/06/30/bda-and-wme-signs-kessler-edwards/ |website=Sports Agent Blog |access-date=July 15, 2021 |date=June 30, 2021}}
Professional career
=Brooklyn Nets (2021–2023)=
Edwards was selected in the second round of the 2021 NBA draft with the 44th pick by the Brooklyn Nets,{{cite news|title=Ex-Etiwanda High School star Kessler Edwards is chosen by Brooklyn Nets in NBA draft|url=https://www.fontanaheraldnews.com/sports/ex-etiwanda-high-school-star-kessler-edwards-is-chosen-by-brooklyn-nets-in-nba-draft/article_d47c11e0-f188-11eb-867e-176c733b4812.html|work=Fontana Herald News|date=July 30, 2021|access-date=August 2, 2021}} and was later included in the roster of the Nets for the 2021 NBA Summer League.{{cite web|title=Brooklyn Nets announce summer League roster|url=https://www.nba.com/nets/news/2021/08/03/brooklyn-nets-announce-summer-league-roster|website=NBA.com|date=August 3, 2021|access-date=August 6, 2021}} On August 16, he signed a two-way contract with the Nets. Under the terms of the deal, he split time between Brooklyn and their NBA G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets.{{cite web|title=BROOKLYN NETS SIGN KESSLER EDWARDS TO TWO-WAY CONTRACT|url=https://www.nba.com/nets/news/2021/08/16/brooklyn-nets-sign-kessler-edwards-two-way-contract|website=NBA.com|date=August 16, 2021|access-date=September 12, 2021}} On April 10, 2022, Edwards's deal was promoted to a standard contract.{{cite web|title=Brooklyn Nets Sign Kessler Edwards|url=https://www.nba.com/nets/news/2022/04/10/brooklyn-nets-sign-kessler-edwards|website=NBA.com|date=April 10, 2022|access-date=April 10, 2022}}
On July 6, 2022, Edwards re-signed with the Nets to a reported two-year contract.{{cite web |title=Brooklyn Nets Re-sign Kessler Edwards |url=https://www.nba.com/nets/news/2022/07/06/brooklyn-nets-re-sign-kessler-edwards |website=NBA.com |access-date=July 12, 2022 |date=July 6, 2022}}{{cite web |last1=Milholen |first1=Chris |title=Nets re-sign Kessler Edwards to reported two-year deal with team option |url=https://www.netsdaily.com/2022/7/6/23196910/nets-re-sign-kessler-edwards-reported-two-year-deal-with-team-option |website=NetsDaily |access-date=July 12, 2022 |date=July 6, 2022}}
=Sacramento Kings (2023–2024)=
On February 8, 2023, Edwards and cash considerations were traded to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for the draft rights to David Michineau.{{cite web|title=Kings Complete Trade With Brooklyn Nets|url=https://www.nba.com/kings/news/kings-complete-trade-with-brooklyn-nets|website=NBA.com|date=February 8, 2023|access-date=February 8, 2023}}
=Dallas Mavericks (2024–present)=
On August 27, 2024, Edwards signed a two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks.{{cite web|title=MAVERICKS SIGN KESSLER EDWARDS TO TWO-WAY CONTRACT|url=https://texas.gleague.nba.com/news/mavericks-sign-kessler-edwards-to-two-way-contract|website=NBA.com|date=August 27, 2024|access-date=August 27, 2024}}
Career statistics
{{NBA player statistics legend}}
=NBA=
==Regular season==
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2021}}
| style="text-align:left;"|Brooklyn
| 48 || 23 || 20.6 || .412 || .353 || .842 || 3.6 || .6 || .6 || .5 || 5.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;" rowspan=2|{{nbay|2022}}
| style="text-align:left;"|Brooklyn
| 14 || 1 || 5.7 || .250 || .167 || .500 || 1.0 || .1 || .2 || .1 || 1.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|Sacramento
| 22 || 3 || 13.9 || .435 || .349 || .769 || 2.1 || 1.0 || .5 || .2 || 3.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|2023}}
| style="text-align:left;"|Sacramento
| 54 || 0 || 5.1 || .415 || .385 || .556 || .8 || .3 || .2 || .1 || 1.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| {{nbay|2024}}
| style="text-align:left;"| Dallas
| 40 || 18 || 15.2 || .496 || .407 || .923 || 2.9 || 1.1 || .5 || .5 || 4.2
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 178 || 45 || 12.7 || .428 || .260 || .786 || 2.2 || .6 || .4 || .3 || 3.6
{{s-end}}
==Playoffs==
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|2022
| style="text-align:left;"|Brooklyn
| 2 || 0 || 3.5 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || .0 || .5 || .5 || .0 || .0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|2023
| style="text-align:left;"|Sacramento
| 6 || 0 || 1.2 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || .2 || .0 || .0 || .0 || .0
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 8 || 0 || 1.8 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || .1 || .1 || .1 || .0 || .0
{{s-end}}
=College=
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19
| style="text-align:left;"| Pepperdine
| 34 || 27 || 28.8 || .438 || .370 || .694 || 5.4 || 1.0 || 1.1 || 1.0 || 9.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20
| style="text-align:left;"| Pepperdine
| 31 || 31 || 32.7 || .471 || .437 || .761 || 7.4 || 1.5 || .9 || 1.8 || 13.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2020–21
| style="text-align:left;"| Pepperdine
| 27 || 26 || 33.9 || .491 || .378 || .876 || 6.8 || 1.2 || 1.0 || 1.2 || 17.2
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 92 || 84 || 31.6 || .469 || .395 || .789 || 6.5 || 1.2 || 1.0 || 1.3 || 13.3
{{S-end}}
Personal life
Edwards's older brother, Kameron, played college basketball for Pepperdine before embarking on a professional career.{{cite web |title=50 for 50 Spotlight: Kameron Edwards |url=https://law.pepperdine.edu/surf-report/posts/spotlight-kameron-edwards.htm |website=Pepperdine Caruso School of Law |accessdate=June 2, 2020 |date=April 20, 2020}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons}}
{{basketballstats}}
- [https://pepperdinewaves.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/kessler-edwards/2899 Pepperdine Waves bio]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20200701033526/https://www.usab.com/basketball/players/mens/e/edwards-kessler.aspx USA Basketball bio]
{{Dallas Mavericks current roster}}
{{Texas Legends current roster}}
{{2021 NBA draft}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Edwards, Kessler}}
Category:21st-century American sportsmen
Category:American men's basketball players
Category:Basketball players from Los Angeles County, California
Category:Brooklyn Nets draft picks
Category:Brooklyn Nets players
Category:Dallas Mavericks players
Category:Etiwanda High School alumni
Category:Long Island Nets players
Category:Pepperdine Waves men's basketball players
Category:Sacramento Kings players
Category:Sportspeople from Glendale, California