Baylor getting transfer Edwards ready for 2023-24

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Baylor Bears girls’s basketball coach Nicki Collen mentioned whereas she needs ahead Dre’Una Edwards would be capable to play this season, she hopes to assist her put together for her future with the Bears and past.

Collen spoke Saturday after the No. 23 Bears’ 75-62 victory over the No. 21 Kansas Jayhawks. Thursday, Edwards posted on social media about her eligibility state of affairs since transferring from Kentucky this spring.

As a result of it was her second switch — having began her profession with the Utah Utes — Edwards was not eligible for the one-time switch exemption that might have prevented her sitting out this season. Nor was she eligible to play immediately as a graduate switch, as she didn’t graduate from Kentucky.

Edwards mentioned she has made important progress towards a level at Baylor, taking 33 credit score hours since being on the faculty. To ensure that her to get a waiver to play this season, although, Baylor wanted a signed doc from Kentucky saying Edwards had no alternative to take part for the Wildcats. Kentucky coach Kyra Elzy mentioned signing that might be false, as a result of Edwards would have been in a position to play for the Wildcats.

“They’ve a proper to not signal it,” Collen mentioned. “It is simply discouraging while you see a child do what she’s completed, accomplish what she’s achieved within the classroom. You solely get a finite period of time to play this recreation. It is about these children and their development and alternative.

“Dre and I had conversations: ‘Hey, it is 100% simpler so that you can keep at Kentucky.’ ‘Coach, I wish to be at Baylor.’ ‘OK, that is what it will take. It is not going to be straightforward. However worst-case state of affairs, you are gonna sit a yr to play a yr, and we’re gonna get you prepared for that one yr.’”

Collen, in her second season at Baylor, returned to the school recreation in 2021 after teaching within the WNBA. Collen mentioned Edwards is attempting to profit from the time with Baylor and plans to return subsequent season.

“Dre was not a nasty scholar at Kentucky,” Collen mentioned. “We have been speaking about her tutorial progress; now we have a 60-hour rule at Baylor. So when she left Kentucky, she had virtually 100 hours. So she transfers and loses 40 hours within the switch. Baylor has this expectation, and I believe they’re proper, that in the event that they’re gonna provide you with a level from Baylor, that you simply’re getting over half of your credit from Baylor.

“That is why she needed to work so arduous within the classroom. When Dre went into the portal, we completely known as Kentucky to ask about her character. And we 100% perceive NCAA guidelines.”

When requested Friday at her recurrently scheduled press convention about Edwards’ state of affairs, Elzy reiterated that Kentucky did not stand in the way in which of Edwards going to Baylor, however that the Wildcats compliance workplace defined to her that with out graduating, she wouldn’t be capable to play this season.

“Dre, together with Baylor and each different faculty that contacted us, had the understanding that she wouldn’t be capable to play immediately as a result of she didn’t graduate,” Elzy mentioned Friday. “Our compliance addressed it together with her in March. Everybody was clear what would occur: She would wish to take a seat a yr to play a yr.

“My precedence is that this program and our gamers. Dre determined to depart in March. We moved on and he or she moved on. And that is the place we stand.”

Collen mentioned that Edwards is working in apply to enhance for subsequent season and a possible professional profession.

“So she simply has to get on this mode that we’re getting her prepared for subsequent yr,” Collen mentioned. “Do we would like that to be the case for her? Completely not. Do I believe she deserves to play this yr? Completely. I’ve no downside saying that.”

Collen additionally added that one other high-profile switch, guard/ahead Aijha Blackwell, remains to be recovering from harm. Blackwell, who transferred from the Missouri Tigers, was harm Nov. 15 and returned for 2 video games Dec. 15 and 18, however hasn’t performed since.

“She did not signal a medical launch, so I can not actually converse on the specifics,” Collen mentioned of Blackwell’s leg harm. “However we’re not going to carry her again till she’s near 100%. Her future’s too vital. That is about defending her. It is about extending her profession, and her with the ability to become profitable enjoying this recreation sometime.”