New York Knicks: 2019 NBA Draft targets who stepped up on March 23
1. Carsen Edwards, Purdue
Slash Line: 12-for-21/9-for-16/9-for-9
Stat Line: 42 points, six rebounds, one assist
Carsen Edwards’ first tournament game was a 20-point night, but with a streaky slash line. That took an opposite turn Saturday night, as he led Purdue’s domination over the reigning national champion, Villanova, 87-61.
42 points on 12-for-21 shooting became this tournament’s highest scoring mark, which broke Brandon Clarke’s mark from hours previously. 27 points were accounted for from behind the arc, as the 5-for-11 point guard unleashed his scoring ability and carried the Boilermakers to a Sweet 16 appearance.
It was part of a 29-for-54 night shooting, which trumped the struggling Wildcats and sent them home early. Matt Haarms and Ryan Cline contributed 30 combined points towards this effort.
Now, Edwards is part of a team that’s one win away from the Elite Eight. They need him to continue stepping up and leading the way, because facing a team like Virginia down the line could cause issues.
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If the New York Knicks choose to add another point guard, Edwards is a second-round candidate, unless a late first-round team gambles on him. He’s a point guard’s size but plays like a shooting guard, similar to Trey Burke‘s stint from 2018-19. This is an interesting talent, either way, pending he enters the 2019 NBA Draft.