Justin Edwards has earned every minute of his playing time for the Philadelphia 76ers. The 21-year-old forward signed with the Sixers as an undrafted free agent last summer, inking a two-way contract with the franchise. His play then earned him a full-scale contract in February. In total, Edwards suited up for the Sixers on 44 occasions, averaging 10.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists as a rookie.
That production led the Sixers to sign Edwards to a three-year $4.4 million deal in July, with the final year of that contract being a team option. Edwards will now compete for a spot in Nick Nurse’s rotation, as he looks to capitalize on the Sixers’ need for youth and athleticism in the front court.
“Justin’s growth and versatility were on full display last season as a rookie, and we’re excited to see his progression continue in a 76ers uniform,” Morey told NBA.com. “His natural shooting ability combined with his athleticism and defensive toughness make him very valuable to what we as an organization are trying to accomplish both now and in the future.”
It would appear that Edwards has spent this summer working on his shot profile, including scoring off the catch and getting to his spots for pull-ups. On September 19, NBA skills trainer Chris Johnson uploaded a 25-minute video to his YouTube channel, showcasing the work Edwards put into one of his recent shooting sessions. Along with his shooting versatility, Edward’s youthful motor was on full display, as he pushed through the fatigue factor.
You can watch Edwards’ full workout video by clicking on the embedded video above, where you can see him developing three-level scoring habits that should help him continue to produce at the NBA level.