Edwards finding a way to get into lineup

By: Justin Verrier

Posted: 11/14/08

Gavin Edwards doesn't run the offense like A.J. Price or control the paint like Hasheem Thabeet, and he doesn't shoot the 3-pointer like Scottie Haralson or slash through the lane like Jerome Dyson.

But while the junior forward may not be called upon to take the game-winning shot, break someone off the dribble or lock down the opponent's star player, Edwards is willing to do whatever he has to, and play as many positions as possible, to contribute.

"I'm just trying to get in wherever I fit in," he said last week. "Whether it's at the 3 or the 4, I'm just trying to play at the best of my abilities. Wherever coach wants to put me, he'll put me there."

Edwards emerged the past season as a consummate team player, someone willing to rebound, play defense and do all the dirty work. This year, though, his hands will be filthy.

With Stanley Robinson and Ater Majok out for the first semester, and Nate Miles now playing at Southern Idaho following his expulsion, the Huskies are without a true swingman for at least the next few months.

At 6-foot-9, 234-pounds, Edwards is probably best suited as a power forward, but will see plenty of time at the 3 this season.

"We've been playing Gavin an awful lot at the 3 and at times he's done an awful good job," said coach Jim Calhoun. "What I thought might be the starting lineup the first day [of practice] isn't necessarily the starting lineup."

Even so, Edwards does whatever he needs to in order to help his team.

As a junior on the Arizona Blue Magic AAU team, Edwards saw only limited action. But Edwards improved rapidly, finishing his senior year Mesquite High School with game averages of 17.5 points, 8.5 rebounds and 3.3 blocks en route to earning Co-Region Player of the Year.

He even broke the school's season record for blocked shots. His defensive prowess piqued Calhoun's interest, and Edwards signed on to fill the void of the recently departed Josh Boone.

Relegated to a bench role in his three years in Storrs, Edwards' determination and willingness to play whatever position and do whatever is asked of him has led to a steady increase in floor minutes.

While Edwards' ever-growing list of skills hasn't helped him crack the starting lineup, the junior said he takes pride in his flexibility because the extra value only increases the team's chances of winning.

"That creates a lot of matchup problems," he said. "That makes it a little bit easier for me, because I'll have somebody trying to play me for one certain aspect and then they can't guard me on the other aspect. It makes it a little bit easier for me and for coach, I think."

The potential is already starting to turn into production. While the Huskies didn't run any set plays to give Edwards the ball against AIC in the exhibition opener the past week, he still managed to score 15 points, mostly off his seven rebounds.

The performance impressed Calhoun, who reportedly hinted at considering starting Edwards in the near future.

"Gavin gives us some decent mobility and flexibility, defensively particularly," Calhoun said after UConn's 83-58 win over AIC.

While being a "team player" fits into the long list of sports clichés, everything about Edwards fits that M.O. - from the way he plays on the court to the way he acts off it.

Unlike more well-known energy or hustle players like Dennis Rodman, the soft-spoken 20-year-old rarely puts himself out there. Whenever he does talk about himself or his accomplishments, he almost always mentions his team or pleasing the coaching staff.

However, because of his laidback personality, Edwards tends to disappear at times on the court, and Calhoun often said that the junior needed to be more aggressive the past season.

But while it may go unnoticed, what most don't see is what makes Edwards so valuable, and perhaps one of the key cogs for the team advancing in March.

"Sometimes it's difficult just learning something and then trying to dominate at it," Edwards said. "But I just have to keep that in mind and keep trying to make moves inside and outside and just have to be more confident in myself."