Updated

Updated · Rocky Top Insider · Aug 3

B.J. Edwards Re-Enters Transfer Portal With 1 Extra NCAA Season After 12.7-Point SMU Year

Updated

Updated · Rocky Top Insider · Aug 3

B.J. Edwards Re-Enters Transfer Portal With 1 Extra NCAA Season After 12.7-Point SMU Year

Q: Would B.J. Edwards boost his NBA future more by returning to college or staying on the professional path after Summer League?

Returning to college would likely do more to boost B.J. Edwards’ NBA future. Edwards is coming off his best season at SMU, where he averaged 12.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists and an ACC-leading 2.3 steals while shooting 47.4% from the field and 37.2% from three. He also missed the end of the season with an ankle injury, so one more healthy year as a featured guard could help him finish his college career with stronger momentum and give NBA teams a larger sample of him as a lead ball-handler, defender and improved shooter. The professional path still has value, but his current NBA footing appears fragile. An Exhibit 10 deal with Sacramento is useful, yet it is non-guaranteed and more often serves as a route to training camp or the G League unless a player quickly earns a two-way contract. His Summer League run gave him exposure, but not necessarily enough to change his draft stock in a major way. For a 23-year-old undrafted guard, the main question is whether another college season adds meaningful upside. In Edwards’ case, it probably does, because he is not trying to prove basic viability anymore; he is trying to prove he can be a high-level, efficient, winning guard over a full season. If he lands at a strong program and stays healthy, he could return to the draft or pro market with better visibility and leverage. If Sacramento offers him a real two-way contract, staying pro becomes more compelling. Short of that, college looks like the stronger career play.

2 articles · Updated · Rocky Top Insider · Aug 3

B.J. Edwards is back in the transfer portal after the former Tennessee guard gained an extra season of eligibility following three years at SMU.
New NCAA rules now effectively cover athletes who ran out of eligibility in 2025-26 after successful lawsuits, including one in Tennessee, forced the association to extend relief.
Edwards had appeared headed to the pros, signing an Exhibit 10 deal with the Sacramento Kings after going undrafted and playing in NBA Summer League last month.
SMU is losing a productive two-way guard: the Knoxville native averaged 12.7 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.9 assists last season.
A Tennessee return is not expected because the Vols already have a crowded backcourt, though the same eligibility shift also benefits Vanderbilt transfer target Jalen Washington.