B.J. Edwards Aims to Spoil Tennessee's Oklahoma Debut
Tennessee basketball will see a familiar face during SEC play this season. B.J. Edwards, the former Knoxville Catholic star who played one season with the Vols in 2022, is using an extra year of eligibility to play for Oklahoma.
Edwards exhausted his eligibility after four seasons, but he joined a lawsuit with 16 other basketball players from Tennessee in a lawsuit in state court, hoping to earn an extra season of college eligibility in line with the NCAA's new 5 in 5 rule.
The Vols will play at Oklahoma for their lone meeting of the regular season on either February 9 or 10. This matchup pits Edwards against his former team, and he's looking to make an impact.
Edwards was a standout player for SMU last season, averaging 12.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and an ACC-leading 2.3 steals per game while shooting 37.2% from 3-point range.
After not being picked in the 2026 NBA Draft, Edwards signed a contract with the Sacramento Kings and played in the NBA Summer League, averaging 2.4 points across five appearances.
Edwards committed to Tennessee as a four-star recruit and transferred to SMU following his freshman year. He was a key player for the Mustangs as they reached the NCAA Tournament's First Four.
The order handed down by a Tennessee state court required the NCAA to open a new transfer window for this group of athletes from the class of 2022. The window for entering the transfer portal was open from August 3-10.
Former Vanderbilt center Jalen Washington, who joined Tennessee's roster this month, was also a plaintiff in that same lawsuit. Washington's addition to the Vols' roster adds another layer to the matchup against Edwards and Oklahoma.
The outcome of the lawsuit and Edwards' eligibility will be closely watched as the Vols prepare for their meeting with Oklahoma. The matchup will be a test of Edwards' skills and a chance for him to make a statement against his former team.
Source: Yahoo Sports