Florida Gators
SEC Coaches Classic - Day 2
Grad student Lexx Edwards gets another year with Gators
Wednesday, August 26, 2015 | Men's Basketball, Chris Harry
Walk-on guard Lexx Edwards Edwards (center) with his family during Senior Night on March 3 at the O'Connell Center.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- For three seasons, Lexx Edwards gave Billy Donovan and the Florida basketball program everything a walk-on could possibly offer. Edwards brought it every day at practice and set an example off the court in making the Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll and graduating in four years.
If Mike White likes guys who play hard and are committed, he's going to love this guy.
Surprise! “Two-X Lexx” is back.
Roughly six months after being honored on UF's Senior Night, Edwards learned last week he'll be with the Gators again this season after being admitted to graduate school with a full year of eligibility remaining.
“I'm ecstatic,” Edwards said.
His career numbers show just 39 minutes in 21 games, with no points and eight rebounds, yet they tell nothing about the kid from Orlando Jones High who bypassed several Division I football offers because he wanted to go to a school with a high academic reputation. Edwards could never quite get competing out of his system and one day reached out to Donovan, got a walk-on tryout and was a fixture on the floor for three of the next four seasons (he was not on the team in 2012-13).
Now, three months after walking across the O'Connell Center stage to his sociology degree in May, Edwards will take the next step of his academic life -- he's pursuing a masters in Sports Administration -- while remaining very much involved in the athletic side of it.
“We're glad to have him,” White said. “What a great kid.”
And teammate.
For Edwards, the 6-foot-2, 225-pound guard who turned 22 on Wednesday, it's not about the playing time or the glory of hitting shots (he's taken just two in his career) or the punishing physical way he practiced that earned the praise and admiration of the former staff. It was the lure of another year around his UF brothers that was too much to pass by.
“Just being around the guys, the environment, the family, the bond and the relationships you create,” he said. “People ask me, 'What do I get out of it?' It's the same answer I've always given. I enjoy helping guys achieve and have success and being a strong example on and off the court.”
On Wednesday, Edwards was back on the floor with his individual instruction group, with White and his assistants getting their first look at their new player's work ethic.
And vice versa.
Like the bulk of his teammates, Edwards is used to the Donovan way. But also like his teammates, he's sensing a lot of positive things about the transition to the new guy.
“The vibe I get from the guys, they all seem excited,” Edwards said. “Even though there is an element of unknown, they're embracing it and ready to buy in and do whatever Coach White and his staff ask of them. It makes me excited to embark on this season; on this next phase of my life.”
