Tennessee Basketball: Profile of JUCO Signee D'Montre Edwards

Drawing comparisons to former Vol top scorer/headache Scotty Hopson probably won’t get Tennessee fans lined up for season tickets, but coach Cuonzo Martin’s junior college recruit does share several of the same qualities that made Hopson shine (at times) at Tennessee. 

Unlike Hopson, though, Edwards seems prepared to adapt his 6’6”, 200-pound size and scoring talent to Martin’s tough, defensive-centric style.  

“When Coach Martin first came down to visit me, I was sure that not only could he make me a better basketball player, but he could also make me a better person in life,” Edwards said to the Knoxville News Sentinel.  

The Brevard Community College (Melbourne, FL) transfer, who was being heavily recruited by fellow SEC schools Texas A&M and Mississippi State, is another piece in Martin’s rebuilt backcourt.

In two seasons at Brevard, Edwards averaged just over 15 PPG and shot 48 percent from the field, including 37 percent from the perimeter.

He will likely compete to replace the graduating Cameron Tatum, whose point production tanked in a devastating shooting slump midway through the conference season. 

Edwards drew considerable attention while playing in a summer league last year, and earned high praise in Slam magazine’s “Best of Summer”. 

“Edwards has a smooth game and can score in a variety of ways. He has a solid mid-range game and can get to the rim and finish. Edwards is also a good defender who has a high basketball IQ. After a very good summer, Edwards has picked up interest from many mid to high-major programs.” 

Based on his stats from Brevard, Edwards will join Tennessee with a field goal percentage well above any of the Vols’ returning guards and just slightly behind returning starters Skylar McBee and Trae Golden in three-point shooting.