John Calipari says 'don't be surprised' when this Kentucky player will 'bust through'

It was a very difficult week for former Kentucky wing Justin Edwards as the NBA Draft came and went without him hearing his name called.

Edwards was sometimes the forgotten member of the decorated freshman class for the Cats despite being the No. 3 overall prospect in the 2023 class, and at one point the top overall player in the class.

To go from a one-time projected top overall pick in the 2024 draft to undrafted is not easy.

But, his former head coach thinks he'll be just fine.

"Justin Edwards signed with 76ers," John Calipari wrote on social media. "I was disappointed he wasn’t drafted because his upside is ridiculous!!! Philly is a great landing spot for him. Coach Nurse really likes him. Tyrese and I talked. He’s going to take him under his wing. Don’t be surprised as he busts through."

Edwards' new home is with the Philadelphia 76ers after averaging 8.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 48.6 percent from the floor in 30 starts (32 games) last year. He also shot 36.5 percent from three, making 31 3s on the season.

The 6-foot-8 wing struggled with his consistency and production which saw him fall off draft boards.

After scoring in double-figures in seven of his first 11 games, he failed to reach 10 points in the next nine games and only scored in double-digits two of his next 14 games.

Edwards joins fellow freshmen Reed Sheppard, taken 3rd overall, and Rob Dillingham, 8th overall, as the three members of John Calipari's final Kentucky class to land in the NBA.