Gavin’ A Party
By Zach Smart
Storrs--Easy Going Gavin rapidly morphed into Gung Ho Gavin last night, someone UConn fans have rarely seen during the reserve forward’s stay with the Huskies.
The kid from Gilbert, Az., finally got physical, played above the rim, and displayed a sense of urgency, en route to a career-high 17 points in 16 minutes on 7-of-9 shooting.
“Gavin’s one of the more talented players on the team, at least athletically talented,” said Jim Calhoun, following UConn’s latest 79-49 roasting of marshmallow MEAC native Delaware State.
“He’s got a very high basketball IQ, he makes good passes…he’s got to be more physical. I’m encouraged by what he did tonight and I’m sure he is too.”
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For Easy Going Gavin, life isn’t always that easy. He has to go up against two physical specimens and behemoths in Jeff Adrien and Hasheem Thabeet every practice, is forced to take a backseat to the two larger-than-life bigs when game time rolls around, and is sometimes forced to play out of his nature (“I’m more of a finesse player,” Edwards admits) and play a physically intimidating brand of ball at the four-slot.
So, Easy Going Gavin’s Monday night coming out party came with much fanfare and to the delight of his teammates. Edwards established himself early, connecting on a jumper and a layup and then delivering an eye-popping block with 13:28 remaining.
The son of former NFL defensive lineman Earl Edwards, who entered the game averaging a meager 3.3 points, continued his sublime showing in the second half.
He came soaring in, finishing a catch-and-run alley-oop from Kemba Walker that pumped the then insurmountable Husky lead to 71-42. He dunked home a Jerome Dyson miss that put an exclamation point on his career night and UConn’s drubbing of another smurf-sized foe.
“I think he got something out of it tonight. I know I got something out of it. Gavin has a chance, he’s got a fight on his hands. The more he fights, the deeper we can go,” explained Calhoun.
That fight Calhoun is referring to is between 6-foot-9 swingman Stanley “Sticks” Robinson (who will soon be available) and newcomer Ater Majok, a 6-foot-10 recruit via the Sudan. Majok is undergoing the NCAA clearing process right now, but should be eligible to play soon.
On the surface, it looks like Edwards will have to wrestle for burn as the season progresses and Big East play emerges.
Following a resume building game, however, Edwards is confident he will remain a fixture off the pine.
“Coach said during the Paradise Jam, as cliché as it is, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Still, if Edwards is to continue turning in expectations-slaying performances, as he did against undersized Delaware State, he needs to get more physical.
“It’s definitely something I’m still trying to work on a lot,” said Edwards, adding that “shooting over 6-foot-7 is definitely easier than shooting over 7-foot-3, National Defensive Player of the Year (Thabeet).”
Edwards continued, “From what I hear, Ater is a very good player. I’m taking baby steps, but I’m definitely working on it.”
Pressure?
“I get at least one call a week from my Dad on how I need to play stronger. He gives me all the old football stories. I know I have to step it up.”
Storrs--Easy Going Gavin rapidly morphed into Gung Ho Gavin last night, someone UConn fans have rarely seen during the reserve forward’s stay with the Huskies.
The kid from Gilbert, Az., finally got physical, played above the rim, and displayed a sense of urgency, en route to a career-high 17 points in 16 minutes on 7-of-9 shooting.
“Gavin’s one of the more talented players on the team, at least athletically talented,” said Jim Calhoun, following UConn’s latest 79-49 roasting of marshmallow MEAC native Delaware State.
“He’s got a very high basketball IQ, he makes good passes…he’s got to be more physical. I’m encouraged by what he did tonight and I’m sure he is too.”
Read More...Click Below!
For Easy Going Gavin, life isn’t always that easy. He has to go up against two physical specimens and behemoths in Jeff Adrien and Hasheem Thabeet every practice, is forced to take a backseat to the two larger-than-life bigs when game time rolls around, and is sometimes forced to play out of his nature (“I’m more of a finesse player,” Edwards admits) and play a physically intimidating brand of ball at the four-slot.
So, Easy Going Gavin’s Monday night coming out party came with much fanfare and to the delight of his teammates. Edwards established himself early, connecting on a jumper and a layup and then delivering an eye-popping block with 13:28 remaining.
The son of former NFL defensive lineman Earl Edwards, who entered the game averaging a meager 3.3 points, continued his sublime showing in the second half.
He came soaring in, finishing a catch-and-run alley-oop from Kemba Walker that pumped the then insurmountable Husky lead to 71-42. He dunked home a Jerome Dyson miss that put an exclamation point on his career night and UConn’s drubbing of another smurf-sized foe.
“I think he got something out of it tonight. I know I got something out of it. Gavin has a chance, he’s got a fight on his hands. The more he fights, the deeper we can go,” explained Calhoun.
That fight Calhoun is referring to is between 6-foot-9 swingman Stanley “Sticks” Robinson (who will soon be available) and newcomer Ater Majok, a 6-foot-10 recruit via the Sudan. Majok is undergoing the NCAA clearing process right now, but should be eligible to play soon.
On the surface, it looks like Edwards will have to wrestle for burn as the season progresses and Big East play emerges.
Following a resume building game, however, Edwards is confident he will remain a fixture off the pine.
“Coach said during the Paradise Jam, as cliché as it is, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Still, if Edwards is to continue turning in expectations-slaying performances, as he did against undersized Delaware State, he needs to get more physical.
“It’s definitely something I’m still trying to work on a lot,” said Edwards, adding that “shooting over 6-foot-7 is definitely easier than shooting over 7-foot-3, National Defensive Player of the Year (Thabeet).”
Edwards continued, “From what I hear, Ater is a very good player. I’m taking baby steps, but I’m definitely working on it.”
Pressure?
“I get at least one call a week from my Dad on how I need to play stronger. He gives me all the old football stories. I know I have to step it up.”
Labels: Connecticut news
posted by NBE Blogger @ 10:07 AM
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