Richie Edwards (basketball)

Richie Edwards
No. 0 – Canterbury Rams
Position Small forward / Power forward
League NZNBL
Personal information
Born June 30, 1990
Albany, New York
Nationality American / New Zealand
Listed height 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight 210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school Middleton Grange School
(Christchurch, New Zealand)
Lakeland Senior (Lakeland, Florida)
College Hillsborough CC (2009–2011)
Valparaiso (2011–2012)
Arizona State (2013–2014)
NBA draft 2014 / Undrafted
Pro career 2014–present
Career history
2014–present Canterbury Rams
2014 Adelaide 36ers
Career highlights and awards
  • NZNBL Rookie of the Year (2014)

Richie Edwards (born June 30, 1990) is an American-New Zealand professional basketball player who currently plays for the Canterbury Rams of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NZNBL).

Early life

Edwards was born in Albany, New York to parents Johnathan and Debbie Edwards. At a young age, he moved with his missionary parents to Christchurch, where he attended the basketball-focused Middleton Grange School where he graduated from in 2007.[1]

Prep school

In 2008–09, Edwards attended Lakeland Senior High School in Lakeland, Florida for a prep season. He went on to earn first-team All-State honors with the Dreadnaughts. He was also honored as the county Player of the Year and the Lakeland Ledger Player of the Year after averaging 17.7 points and 9.5 rebounds per game.[2]

College career

From 2009 to 2011, Edwards attended Hillsborough CC. In his two seasons for the Hawks, he was a two-time All-Conference selection. As a freshman, he averaged 16 points and 7 rebounds per game; and as a sophomore, he averaged 18.6 points and 6.8 rebounds per game.[2]

In 2011, he transferred to Valparaiso University. In his junior season at Valparaiso, he was a role player for the Crusaders, coming of the bench to record 12 double-figure scoring games. In 30 games, he averaged 9.4 points and 3.1 rebounds in 17.8 minutes per game.[3][4]

In 2012, he transferred to Arizona State University and subsequently sat out the 2012–13 season due to NCAA transfer rules. In his senior season, he played just 15 games for the Sun Devils, averaging 2.5 points in 6.7 minutes per game.[4]

Professional career

On March 24, 2014, Edwards signed with the Canterbury Rams for the 2014 New Zealand NBL season.[1][5] In 17 games for the Rams, he averaged 17.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game as he earned the league's Rookie of the Year award.[6]

On October 29, 2014, Edwards signed with the Adelaide 36ers as an injury-replacement for Mitch Creek.[7] On November 21, 2014, he was released by the club following the return of Creek from injury.[8] In three games for the 36ers, he averaged 1.7 points per game.[9] On February 8, 2015, he re-signed with the Rams for the 2015 season.[10][11]

International career

Edwards became one of the youngest Junior Tall Blacks when he debuted at just 14 years old in 2005. At the 2009 FIBA Under-19 World Championship, he averaged 14.9 points and 7.0 rebounds per game. At the 2011 World University Games, he led New Zealand in scoring and finished third among all tournament players, averaging 20.1 points per game.[2]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Egan, Brendon (March 25, 2014). "Edwards turns from towel boy into real Ram". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "#0 - Richie Edwards". ValpoAthletics.com. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  3. ↑ "#5 Richie Edwards". TheSunDevils.com. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Richie Edwards Stats". Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Edwards Returns To Canterbury". NZhoops.co.nz. March 25, 2014. Retrieved May 2, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Player statistics for Richie Edwards – NZNBL". FoxSportsPulse.com. Retrieved October 31, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Richie Edwards To Fill Creek's Spot". Adelaide36ers.com (NBL.com.au). October 29, 2014. Retrieved October 30, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Creek Back To Take On Wildcats". Adelaide36ers.com (NBL.com.au). November 21, 2014. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Player statistics for Richie Edwards – ANBL". FoxSportsPulse.com. Retrieved November 21, 2014.
  10. ↑ Egan, Brendon (February 9, 2015). "Ex-NBA centre Mickell Gladness signs for Canterbury Rams". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved February 9, 2015.
  11. ↑ McAuliffe, Hugh (February 8, 2015). "Edwards is back at Canterbury". Australiabasket.com. Sports I.T. Retrieved February 9, 2015.

External links