Bologna, July 30 –
Preceded by tactical silences and not by a roll of drums good only to stun him, the Virtus market has arrived at the bomber of the last Euroleague. It may be the air, never as new as it is this year, or the desire to start again with a different team, but bringing in Carsen Edwards at 27 years of age, at the height of his maturity, was the best declaration of intent on the road to be taken.
Compact, fast, always with an eye on the basket, the Texan from Houston is one of those who looks for the shot at every opportunity. The possible scenarios tell that with the ball in his hands he can get to the target through pick and roll, with the stop, the penetration or thanks to off-balance conclusions. For him, there is no difficulty coefficient, only the basket target. Not being able, with his 180 centimetres, to make space for himself with a shoulder, he has honed over the years an effective ability to read through the potential cracks in the defence to be attacked in all circumstances. The real challenge will be to get to grips with his ability to select conclusions, integrating himself into a midfield deliberately built on quality by coach Ivanovic, in which the ability to involve his ward mates will become decisive. In this sense, the NBA experiences in Boston and Detroit have contributed to his personal growth, making him aware of how to enhance his own characteristics and remove his limitations. The three years spent in the Euroleague between Istanbul and Munich have thus been juxtaposed, by leaps and bounds, by steady growth. Having blossomed at the right time, Edwards is now that made and finished player for that level, capable of making an impact in the continent’s top competition. It is understood that he must be triggered in a context of speed, just as he must be managed in his own half of the field by entrusting him with specific tasks, relying more on his ability to steal time than on individual defence.
Name: CARSEN EDWARDS
Date of birth: 12 March 1998
Place of birth: Houston, Texas (USA)
Palmares: 2 German Championships, 1 German Cup, MVP of the German Championship Finals 2023/2024
