Rockets GM on drafting former Middie Edwards: ‘He can do it all’

The Houston Rockets, who had the best record in the league last season, bought the 52nd pick from the Utah Jazz to use it on Edwards.

“Being a four-year guy at Purdue, he’s obviously got a quicker path to getting on the floor,” Houston general manager Daryl Morey told reporters in Houston after the draft.

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A 6-foot-7 forward, Edwards scored 1,638 points in four seasons at Purdue and made the All-Big Ten second team as a senior when he averaged 14.6 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists. He shot 47.6 percent from the field and made 39.8 percent of his 3-pointers.

Edwards is the son of Bill Edwards Sr., a Carlisle High School graduate who is the all-time leading scorer at Wright State (2,303 points). Edwards Sr. was undrafted but played in three games for the Philadelphia 76ers in 1994.

The younger Edwards told Fox 26 in Houston being drafted was an amazing feeling.

“It’s after midnight so it’s my mom’s birthday,” Vincent Edwards said. “I graduated (from college) and I’m a professional basketball player. That’s some of the greatest gifts you can give.”

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On top of that, his mother, Glennetta Patton, is happy he is going to Houston because they have family in Texas.

He compared himself to current Rocket Trevor Ariza as a do-it-all player and said he just wants to contribute any way he can.

Morey said the team likes Edwards’ potential fit in their high-octane offense.

“We’ve had a lot of success with guys who spent longer in college,” Morey said. “He was somehow overlooked on an extremely good Purdue team. People saw him in the tournament.

“He sort of can do it all. He can defend multiple positions, really fits in our style of play. Can shoot. Can handle. One thing unique about him is he can handle the ball and pass at his size. Obviously he’s already an accomplished shooter.”