Edwards Selected to Naismith Trophy Player of Year Watch List
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue junior guard Carsen Edwards was named one of 50 players to watch for the Citizen Naismith Trophy Men’s Player of the Year honor the Atlanta Tipoff Club announced today.
Edwards was a finalist for the award a year ago after not being on the preseason list. Earlier this offseason, Edwards was named Blue Ribbon Yearbook’s preseason National Player of the Year and the Big Ten’s preseason Player of the Year, as well as earning a spot on the Cousy Award watch list for the nation’s top point guard.
Edwards, a 6-foot, 1-inch guard from Atascocita, Texas, earned the nod after an outstanding sophomore season, helping the Boilermakers to a 30-7 overall record and a spot in the Sweet 16 for the second consecutive season.
Edwards’ 1,046 career points are the 12th most for an active player nationally through his sophomore season. His 686 points last year were the ninth most nationally for a freshman or sophomore and he was one of six underclassmen a year ago to have 650 points, 100 rebounds and 100 assists. He is the only player in Purdue history to have reached those marks in the same season.
Edwards was at his best late in the season, averaging 21.1 points per game in 13 games played after February 1. He tallied 40 points in a win over Illinois in late February and 30 against Texas Tech in the Sweet 16, while averaging 20.5 points per game in six postseason games. He scored in double-figures in 20 straight games to end the season, surpassing 20 points nine times.