Justin Edwards won big in high school. Now, he hopes to deliver national title for Kentucky.

During a day designed to highlight declarative statements, an incoming Kentucky Wildcat had the standout phrase.

Monday’s McDonald’s All-American Game media day in Houston offered a chance for 47 of the game’s 48 participants on both the boys’ and girls’ sides to meet with reporters and talk about their basketball journeys, their excitement about being an All-American and more (Bronny James, the son of NBA star LeBron James, opted out of media day).

And it was during this media session that incoming Kentucky Wildcat Justin Edwards delivered the kind of assertion that turns heads and spawns stories.

“I think we can accomplish a lot. I think we can win a national championship,” Edwards said Monday.

Edwards’ belief is not distinct to him. Every high school basketball star at a McDonald’s All-American Game likely thinks their skill set could elevate a college program to a championship level. It’s part of what makes these young players great.

What most of these high school seniors don’t have, though, is a track record like Edwards’ to back the statement up.

Edwards is just days removed from helping lead Imhotep Institute (Philadelphia) to a second straight Pennsylvania Class 5A state championship.

In December, Edwards was a driving force behind Imhotep winning the prestigious City of Palms Classic, a showcase holiday tournament in Florida featuring top teams and players from around the country.

Earlier in 2022, Edwards averaged better than 16 points per game, along with seven rebounds and three steals per contest, as his Team Final squad impressed at the Nike EYBL Peach Jam.

Edwards has been there and done it before, which gives extra impact to Monday’s headline-making statement.

Kentucky’s five-player 2023 recruiting class is considered the best in the nation. Four of those five incoming Wildcats are McDonald’s All-Americans — incoming guard Robert Dillingham wasn’t eligible for selection — and spent time at the podium during Monday’s media day.

But few players’ words carried the weight of Edwards’ in Houston.

“That’s our main goal, to win the national championship and to win our conference,” Edwards said, adding that he’s seen social media comments from UK fans hoping that he will play a big role in Kentucky’s return to postseason success.

“They think we can bring them back to winning. So that’s one of the big things for us.”

And long before Edwards was named a McDonald’s All-American, he was already focused on what he hopes to accomplish with another star-laden freshman class at Kentucky.

“I feel like we can go back to when (Cal) had his freshman five and they went all the way,” Edwards told the Herald-Leader last summer, shortly after committing to Kentucky. “I feel like we can get back to that. I’m real confident with our class and Coach Cal’s recruitment.”

Edwards leaves impact on analysts, coaches

Whether the Justin Edwards experience takes place in front of you for one game, one weekend or one season, it leaves behind the memory of a versatile, left-handed scorer who also possesses the length to be a defensive disruptor.

“He’s one of the most well-rounded prospects in the 2023 class due to his versatility, malleability and two-way impact,” Tony McNiff, a scouting analyst for MADE Hoops who watched Edwards play at the City of Palms Classic, told the Herald-Leader. “Edwards is long, fluid and athletic for his size, which certainly gives him definitive upside.”

Another showcase moment for Edwards during his senior season at Imhotep — which also featured a third consecutive Philadelphia Public League title — came right here in the commonwealth.

In December, Edwards and Imhotep played fellow Kentucky signee Reed Sheppard and North Laurel High School at Freedom Hall in Louisville.

Imhotep was again victorious, with Edwards leading the charge with a 15-point, 12-rebound performance.

“He’s a great shooter, great rebounder, defends. He’s an all-around great player,” Sheppard said of Edwards after that game.

The memory of that performance also stuck with North Laurel head coach Nate Valentine.

North Laurel’s aggressive 2022-23 season schedule — enabled by the star power of Sheppard — featured several crossover events with Imhotep.

In addition to a direct showdown, both schools also participated in the City of Palms Classic and the Hoophall Classic, an elite showcase event for the nation’s top teams in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Inhabiting the same basketball orbit as Edwards for several months left an impression on Valentine.

“Justin’s, in my opinion, the best high school player in the country right now,” Valentine said prior to the Kentucky state tournament in March. “And probably going to be a top-five draft pick.”

Edwards projected to be another one-and-done success at UK

So far, the experts agree with Valentine.

While plenty can and will change over the next year, ESPN NBA Draft expert Jonathan Givony took a crack at projecting the 2024 NBA Draft in late February.

Givony projects Edwards as a top-five draft selection. Bradshaw, Dillingham and Wagner are also considered likely first-round picks.

While the 2023 college basketball recruiting class — which would also comprise the one-and-done group of players in the 2024 NBA Draft — isn’t considered particularly strong, Edwards still finds himself in the top tier of this group.

All four major recruiting services — 247Sports, Rivals, ESPN and On3 — have Edwards as a top-four player in the 2023 class.

ESPN has Edwards, like Valentine, as the best prep basketball player among all 2023 recruits.

Tyler Glazier, a senior analyst at Pro Insight Basketball, explained Edwards’ best characteristics to the Herald-Leader.

Glazier focused on offensive creation, facilitating, scoring and all-around versatility as reasons why Edwards is held in such high regard.

“He’s someone who can make plays for himself and others in addition to scoring from both beyond the arc and around the basket, without any set plays being called for him,” Glazier said. “(He) can play both on or off the ball and excels in a free-flow, uptempo offense.”

Four questions with Justin Edwards

Justin Edwards is one of the focal points of a critical recruiting class for the Kentucky men’s basketball program and head coach John Calipari.

But there’s more to Edwards than just basketball.

Get to know more about him below.

What’s your favorite food?

Macaroni and cheese.

What’s your favorite movie or TV show?

“Love and Basketball” (movie). “Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘N Out” (TV show).

What’s the one superpower that you would choose?

The ability to read minds. I just be wanting to know stuff … Like when people are lying, I’d be like “Yeah. I can read your mind.”

What’s your favorite basketball influence?

My mom (Ebony Twiggs). Just her being my mom and her getting to the pros.

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