One year ago, fans needed scorecards to figure out all the newcomers on Missouri State’s men’s basketball team. Stability has taken over as a new season nears with the roster primarily composed of returnees.
But among the select new Bears, one to keep a close watch on is Cesare Edwards. The 6-foot-9, 225-pound forward is a transfer from Xavier where he played significant minutes in the powerful Big East Conference.
Edwards has shown potential during preseason to use his physicality to defend and rebound in the low post, and has a soft shooting touch from near and far. Coach Dana Ford said if Edwards doesn’t start, he will play starter minutes.
Missouri State the right fit at the right time for the big man
A native of Hartsville, South Carolina, Edwards said landing at Missouri State — a place he never heard of when he signed with Xavier out of high school — is the right fit at the right time for him.
“You learn from your mistakes from high school,” Edwards said of the recruiting process and how it was different when he decided to leave Xavier. “That was the main thing. The recruiting from high school, when you were a highly scouted guy, you are looking at the names rather than how they play, the pace of play, what offense they run, how they do things.
“The second time around, if you have the opportunity to transfer, you learn from that. You look at style of play, at how they run their bigs, how they sub. You go through that whole learning process
“It made me figure out that this place was the best place for me.”
Edwards said having teammates who have taken the same road, transferring from a bigger DI program to Missouri State, has been a benefit during the transition process. He said Alston Mason (Oklahoma) and Chance Moore (Arkansas) “have been amazing” how they’ve helped him.
“I’ve picked Mason’s brain all the time and see how he operates,” Edwards said. “With Chance, I’m learning how to get him more open off the ball and set screens for him. It’s fun learning with them and how they want to play and open up everything for everybody else, too, learning their roles and how they play.”
A versatile player who wants to help others
Edwards played in 31 games his two seasons at Xavier, including 16 last season when he averaged 7.9 minutes, 2.2 points and 4.4 rebounds while shooting 56.4 percent from the floor. He was part of an NCAA Tournament team that finished 27-10
Describing himself as a versatile player who wants to not only fit in but also help be a leader among his new teammates, Edwards said he’s trying to help other newcomers to the Missouri State roster.
“I think I’m a three-level scorer for the team and a real physical player defensively,” he said. “Just my experience of not only being at the level I was at, I played so I have a little experience coming here. Especially with the bigs on this team that weren’t able to experience that, I can be in more of a veteran role.”
Earning praise from his teammates, on and off the court
Teammates give Edwards praise for his physical abilities but speak in even more glowing terms about the type of person he is. Guard Matthew Lee said the two are neighbors and will often watch sporting events together on television.
“Cesare is an incredible guy, first and foremost,” Lee said. “On the court, he’s a big that I think we needed, a big that will stretch the floor. He’s very athletic and hard-nosed and tenacious. He brings a lot of good to our team and something we needed.”
Roommate Damien Mayo Jr. echoed Lee’s thoughts.
“He’s just a great guy and as a player, he’s a hard worker and smart player,” Mayo said. “He plays hard and can stretch the floor, rebound, can put it on the floor. My favorite thing is his post game. He can face up or play with his back to the basket, he’s real versatile down low.
“But mainly, I love his character. He’s a guy who’s real genuine. He cares. That fits on the court. He’s selfless and likes to get others involved. We have to tell him, ‘Shoot the ball, go score.’ We put the ball in his hands for certain reasons.”
Edwards said he’s felt a tight bond since arriving on campus in June and getting to spend the summer working out with his teammates.
“We bonded really fast, off the floor,” Edwards said. “ Me coming in as a transfer, being somewhere for two years, I had my doubts about connecting. But we connected very well and quickly. We enjoy playing together.
“On the court, it’s progressive. We’re getting better every day. I really like the coaches as well. That was a big decision as well, how they coach and how they are off the floor.”
Edwards might not start but still play ‘starter minutes'
With the season opener less than two weeks away, Ford said things definitely have a different feel with so many experienced players on hand compared to last preseason. He said Edwards is in the mix to be in the starting lineup for the first game, Nov. 6 at West Virginia.
“I think we have about seven starters,” Ford said, noting that if the season started this week that Edwards or sophomore returnee N.J. Benson would start. “Whether N.J. or Cesare starts, Cesare is going to play starter minutes.
“Cesare is a good rebounder with the potential to become elite. Offensively, he stretches the defense and his mid-range shot is pretty consistent.”
Missouri State Bears basketball dates to know
Nov. 2 — Lone exhibition game, 7 p.m. vs. Westminster
Nov. 6 — Season opener, 6 p.m. at West Virginia
Nov. 13 — Home opener, 7 p.m., vs. Oral Roberts
Nov. 29 — Home conference opener, 7 p.m. vs. Evansville
Dec. 2 — Road conference opener, time TBD at Drake
Ticket info
Go to the Great Southern Bank Arena box office, call (417) 836-7678 or visit the Missouri State Athletics website
