Every night in gyms across America, there are ballers are putting up shots after practice. Some are working on their handles in their driveways under streetlights. Others are hitting the weight room before school. Each one chasing the same dream, but here’s the truth that every hooper needs to hear: your path to greatness is uniquely yours.
Just ask Justin Edwards, the Philadelphia kid who’s currently turning heads in the NBA.
Recently, while wearing the jersey of his hometown Philadelphia 76ers, Edwards dropped 25 points against the Oklahoma City Thunder. But this wasn’t some lottery pick living up to the hype – this was an undrafted rookie showing the basketball world that stars can rise from any starting point. Yes, undrafted.
“It really just comes down to the reps,” Edwards said after his breakout performance. Simple words that carry the weight of countless early mornings and late nights in the gym. For every player questioning their journey because they’re not the highest-ranked prospect or the most talked-about name, Edwards’ story screams a crucial message: keep working.
Think about this – in a league where first-round picks often get the spotlight and guaranteed millions, Edwards went undrafted out of Kentucky. No green room. No walking across the stage. No draft night celebrations. Instead, he got something perhaps more valuable – a chip on his shoulder and a chance to write his own story.
The 76ers signed him to a two-way contract, basketball’s version of “prove it.” And prove it he did. When injuries sidelined stars Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George, Edwards didn’t just fill in – he shined. Nine of sixteen from the field. Four three-pointers. But more than the stats, it was the confidence, the poise, the look of someone who had prepared for this moment long before it arrived.
Hoopers, take note: this is what readiness looks like. This is what happens when you stay dedicated to your craft, regardless of the rankings, regardless of the critics, regardless of the path others think you should take.
“He’s really, really improving,” Sixers coach Nick Nurse observed. “He’s capable of guarding lots of positions defensively. He’s got a good feel offensively… the ball finds him because he’s moving to the right place at the right time.” Notice what Coach Nurse emphasized – improvement, versatility, basketball IQ. These aren’t talents you’re born with; they’re skills you develop through relentless work.
For Edwards, playing in Philadelphia carries extra weight. “It means a lot,” he says, “Just being a child, growing up here, watching games… So it means a lot to be able to put on for my family and friends and my hometown.” He’s not just playing – he’s inspiring the next generation of kids in his city who might not be five-star recruits but have five-star hearts.
To every player grinding right now:
– Maybe you’re not the tallest
– Maybe you’re not the fastest
– Maybe you’re not the most highly recruited
– Maybe you’re not even starting on your team yet
But remember this: neither was Justin Edwards the obvious choice. He wasn’t drafted. He wasn’t guaranteed anything. What he had was a work ethic that couldn’t be measured and a determination that couldn’t be denied.
Your path might not look like anyone else’s, and that’s exactly how it should be. Some players will be McDonald’s All-Americans. Others will be walk-ons. Some will get drafted in the first round. Others will have to earn their spot the hard way. But here’s what matters: all of these paths can lead to success if you’re willing to put in the work.
When Edwards steps onto the court at Wells Fargo Center now, he does so as proof that the road to your dreams doesn’t have to be perfectly paved. Sometimes it’s the rocky paths that make you stronger. Sometimes it’s the detours that teach you the most valuable lessons. Sometimes it’s the doubt of others that fuels your greatest achievements.
So to every hooper still in the lab working on their game:
Keep grinding.
Keep believing.
Keep improving.
Your path is your path.
And as Justin Edwards shows us, sometimes the best stories aren’t about where you start – they’re about how hard you’re willing to work to reach where you want to go.
The only question is: are you ready to write your own story?
