Mike Edwards (basketball)
Encyclopedia
Mike Edwards is a former American
basketball player best known for his high school and collegiate careers in the United States rather than his professional career in Mexico
. He played for the University of Tennessee
between 1970–71 and 1972–73 and was named the 1972 co-Southeastern Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year. He has been enshrined in the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame
as part of its Class of 2003, and in February 2009 was chosen to the Tennessee All-Century Team, commemorating the greatest 20 players in program history.
, Edwards starred at Greenfield-Central High School in the late 1960s. During his four-year career, the 6'2", 180-pound shooting guard
scored 2,343 points and averaged 34.4 points per game between his junior
and senior
years. His 36.4 points per game average in 1968–69 led the state and he was named a high school All-American. Edwards earned the nickname the "Greenfield Gunner" for his shooting and scoring abilities. When it came to his decision to play for the Volunteers
, Tennessee's head coach Ray Mears
offered Edwards a scholarship without even having seen him play competitively in person. Mears was attending a coaching clinic at Ball State University
and told Edwards to take some jump shot
s from the perimeter
. Edwards impressed Mears, and the next fall he was enrolled at the school.
through senior years, and in just three seasons he scored 1,343 points in 77 career games. He scored 572 field goals
on 1,265 attempts during an era when no three-point field goal
line existed. As a pure jumpshooter, Edwards later claimed that it "would have been interesting" to see how many more points he would have scored if a three-point line had existed.
In his first varsity season the Volunteers earned a berth into the 1971 National Invitation Tournament
, reaching the quarterfinals before bowing out to Duke
, 74–68. They finished in second place in the SEC with a 13–5 conference record. The following year, Edwards helped lead Tennessee to an SEC regular season co-championship with Kentucky
behind a 14–4 conference record. They did not qualify for any postseason tournament, although Edwards was named the co-SEC Player of the Year. In addition, he was named an Academic All-American. In 1972–73, Edwards final season, the Volunteers tied for second place with two other schools and once again failed to earn any postseason berths. Edwards concluded his collegiate career with a second consecutive All-SEC First Team selection as well as a third consecutive Academic All-SEC selection.
After college he played professionally in Mexico before officially retiring from basketball. He then got into coaching, first at various high schools and then at Emory and Henry College
, Maryville College
and finally Carson–Newman College. Eventually he switched careers and now works as a schoolteacher in his home state of Indiana.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
basketball player best known for his high school and collegiate careers in the United States rather than his professional career in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. He played for the University of Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
between 1970–71 and 1972–73 and was named the 1972 co-Southeastern Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year. He has been enshrined in the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame
Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame
The Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame is a sports museum and hall of fame in New Castle, Indiana. It honors men and women associated with high school, college and professional basketball in Indiana....
as part of its Class of 2003, and in February 2009 was chosen to the Tennessee All-Century Team, commemorating the greatest 20 players in program history.
High school
A native of Greenfield, IndianaGreenfield, Indiana
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 14,600 people, 5,917 households, and 4,017 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,818.0 people per square mile . There were 6,449 housing units at an average density of 803.0 per square mile...
, Edwards starred at Greenfield-Central High School in the late 1960s. During his four-year career, the 6'2", 180-pound shooting guard
Shooting guard
The shooting guard , also known as the two or off guard, is one of five traditional positions on a basketball team. Players of the position are often shorter, leaner, and quicker than forwards. A shooting guard's main objective is to score points for his team...
scored 2,343 points and averaged 34.4 points per game between his junior
Junior (education)
"Junior" is a term used in the United States to describe a student in their 3rd year of study . A Junior is considered an upperclassman...
and senior
Senior (education)
Senior is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the 4th year of study .-High school:...
years. His 36.4 points per game average in 1968–69 led the state and he was named a high school All-American. Edwards earned the nickname the "Greenfield Gunner" for his shooting and scoring abilities. When it came to his decision to play for the Volunteers
Tennessee Volunteers basketball
The Tennessee Volunteers basketball team represents the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee in NCAA men's basketball competition. The Volunteers currently compete in the Southeastern Conference...
, Tennessee's head coach Ray Mears
Ray Mears (coach)
Ray Mears was a former collegiate basketball coach at Wittenberg University and the University of Tennessee . His career record of 399-135 still ranks among the top 15 all-time NCAA coaching records for those with a minimum of 10 seasons...
offered Edwards a scholarship without even having seen him play competitively in person. Mears was attending a coaching clinic at Ball State University
Ball State University
Ball State University is a state-run research university located in Muncie, Indiana. It is also known as Ball State or simply BSU.Located on the northwest side of the city, Ball State's campus spans and includes 106 buildings...
and told Edwards to take some jump shot
Jump shot
In basketball , a jump shot is an attempt to score a basket by jumping, usually straight up, and in mid-jump, propelling the ball in an arc into the basket. It is accomplished by the player bringing his or her elbow up until it is aligned with the hoop, then sent towards the hoop in a high arc. It...
s from the perimeter
Three-point field goal
A three-point field goal is a field goal in a basketball game, made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc radiating from the basket...
. Edwards impressed Mears, and the next fall he was enrolled at the school.
College and later life
Due to NCAA eligibility rules at the time, college freshmen were not allowed to play varsity sports. Edwards played for Tennessee's freshman team in 1969–70 and averaged 30.1 points per game on the team. He was able to play varsity from his sophomoreSophomore
Sophomore is a term used in the United States to describe a student in the second year of study at high school or university.The word is also used as a synonym for "second", for the second album or EP released by a musician or group, the second movie of a director, or the second season of a...
through senior years, and in just three seasons he scored 1,343 points in 77 career games. He scored 572 field goals
Field goal (basketball)
In basketball, the term field goal refers to a basket scored on any shot or tap other than a free throw, worth two or three points depending on the distance of the attempt from the basket. "Field Goal" is the official terminology used by the National Basketball Association in their rule book,...
on 1,265 attempts during an era when no three-point field goal
Three-point field goal
A three-point field goal is a field goal in a basketball game, made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc radiating from the basket...
line existed. As a pure jumpshooter, Edwards later claimed that it "would have been interesting" to see how many more points he would have scored if a three-point line had existed.
In his first varsity season the Volunteers earned a berth into the 1971 National Invitation Tournament
1971 National Invitation Tournament
The 1971 National Invitation Tournament was the 1971 edition of the annual NCAA college basketball competition. 1971 was unique because it is the only time that major rivals Duke and North Carolina have played each other after the ACC Tournament. Eventual ACC member Georgia Tech also made the...
, reaching the quarterfinals before bowing out to Duke
Duke Blue Devils men's basketball
The Duke Blue Devils men's basketball team is the college basketball program representing Duke University in the Atlantic Coast Conference of NCAA Division I...
, 74–68. They finished in second place in the SEC with a 13–5 conference record. The following year, Edwards helped lead Tennessee to an SEC regular season co-championship with Kentucky
Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball
The Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team, representing the University of Kentucky, is the winningest in the history of college basketball, both in all-time wins and all-time winning percentage. Kentucky's all-time record currently stands at 2058–647...
behind a 14–4 conference record. They did not qualify for any postseason tournament, although Edwards was named the co-SEC Player of the Year. In addition, he was named an Academic All-American. In 1972–73, Edwards final season, the Volunteers tied for second place with two other schools and once again failed to earn any postseason berths. Edwards concluded his collegiate career with a second consecutive All-SEC First Team selection as well as a third consecutive Academic All-SEC selection.
After college he played professionally in Mexico before officially retiring from basketball. He then got into coaching, first at various high schools and then at Emory and Henry College
Emory and Henry College
Emory & Henry College, known as E&H, Emory, or the College, is a private liberal arts college located in Emory, Virginia, United States. The campus comprises of Washington County, Virginia, which is part of the mountain region of Southwest Virginia...
, Maryville College
Maryville College
Maryville College is a private four-year liberal arts college in Maryville, Tennessee, near Knoxville. It was founded in 1819 by Presbyterian minister Isaac L. Anderson for the purpose of furthering education and enlightenment into the West. The College is one of the fifty oldest colleges in the...
and finally Carson–Newman College. Eventually he switched careers and now works as a schoolteacher in his home state of Indiana.