North Texas Head Basketball Coach Johnny Jones dipped into the junior college ranks to bring in three star rated Alonzo Edwards, F, 6-8, 230 lbs. from Lon Morris College. Jones recruited Edwards out of high school when he played for Klein Forest High, Houston, Texas. As a senior he led the Golden Eagles to a 23-9 record and into the regional championship game. For his efforts he was named First-Team All-State, All-Conference and earning All-America honors. Coming out of high school he was recruited by North Texas, Texas, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Syracuse, USC, Boston College, Nebraska, Miami and other schools but he opted to sign with the Huskers.

He is a rare back to back double-double coming out of high school. During the recruiting process what made him such a good find was he was a good rebounder, could run the floor, could slash, could shoot, was good in the paint and wanted to better his game.

TexasHoops.com ranked him the 13^th best player in Texas. ESPN ranked him the #18 best small forward in the country and #125 best player overall. He is an all around athlete who earned a letter in football as a wide receiver and one in track and field.

In talking about how he played basketball Edwards stated “I’m a competitor. I compete” and he wants to win “no matter how much the odds are against us. I still want to win.”

Edward was the first to commit to the 2007 Huskers recruiting class which was considered to be the best in the Big 12, one of the top 25 in the nation and was heralded to bring basketball to a football school. With his size, aggressiveness and rebounding skills it was thought Edwards would lead the Huskers into the NCAA Tournament. It was something Edwards thought it would be a blessing to do but he wanted to do more then just to get into the tournament. Edwards stated his goal at Nebraska was “to make the NCAA Tournament every year...I don’t want to settle for less. It’s a blessing to make the NCAA Tournament, but why settle to just get in?”  

His decision to play for Nebraska was simple. The Huskers had a lack of size with only one player returning that was 6-8 or taller. The goal at Nebraska was to make the basketball program as powerful as the football program. So, Edwards thought he would get to play early and build a dream. As things turned out the lack of size on the team may have affected his playing time. Since he was one of the tallest players on the team he was changed to the #4 slot where he would be playing with his back to the basket. In this position, he was exposed to a more physical type of play where he would get a lot of bumping from behind. It was something he did not experience during his high school career. 

He red-shirted his first year, saw some action the second year where he averaged 1.7 points a game and .9 rebounds. It was no where near the 15 points and ten rebounds a game he saw in high school as a senior or the 18 points, 12 rebounds and three blocked shots he saw as a junior.  

Edwards passes what coaches call the ‘eye test.’ He has the body, the athleticism, the strength, the dunking ability and plays the game with everything he has. He has the prototypical size to play power forward. He has the touch and range to shoot the ball effectively and can play on the wing. He is considered a closer, a great defender and an aggressive rebounder. 

After announcing he was going to leave Nebraska, along with another player, Jones was recruiting Edwards again. However, Edwards decided to play for Lon Morris and once again he slipped through Jones’ hands. But according to Lon Morris Head Basketball Coach Dale Dotson, Jones and Assistant Coach Bill Foy did not give up on Edwards, they wanted him in Denton. They let him know they wanted him and had a spot for him. He could help North Texas help fulfill his dream of playing in the NCAA Tournament not just in the first round but with his skills could help the Eagles go deeper into the tournament instead of just one and done. In the end, Jones prevailed and got his player.

Going to Lon Morris allowed Edwards to back into a system he felt more comfortable with and allowed him to get his game back. As a result, in 12 games he scored a total of 112 points or 9.3 points a game helping Lon Morris to a 16-15 record. He also hit on eleven three point shots.

Dotson said Edwards “is a player that wants to learn and has a great work ethic.” He is not a player a coach has to spend a lot of time with. He wants to get better, so he listens to the coaching, understands what the team is trying to accomplish and goes out and performs.

When asked if Edwards could play at the next level he said he has the frame that can be used somewhere at the next level. When you see him on the court, the way he controls his body and the way he plays he felt Edwards does have a chance to play for money somewhere at the next level. His AAU coach is suggesting he play overseas right now.

“They are looking to use him to replace Eric Tramiel” Dotson stated about where Edwards would play for North Texas.

The coach felt Edwards can play with his back to the goal because in practices he has done it effectively but it is something he has to do work on in games where there is more physical contact from some players. He “does play better facing the basket.”

“There were a lot of teams looking at him” he stated about the choices Edwards had coming out of Lon Morris College. Some of the teams were North Texas, South Alabama, Marquette, UCLA, Iowa State, Florida State and Georgia State, some offered some did not the coach did not remember for sure which ones actually extended a scholarship.

About Edwards signing on to play for North Texas, Jones stated "I think he's going to be a great addition to our basketball team...because of his versatility and his skill set of passing, shooting, defending and rebounding.”

While the core of last year’s NCAA team coming back things looked good for North Texas making another run at the NCAA Tournament however, losing Tramiel was a big concern for Jones. He needed to find the right replacement to understand his system and someone with the same skill level or better then Tramiel. Jones feels he has found that in Edwards.

Edwards also brings in some other unknown factors. He brings experience playing at the Division 1-A level along with playing time at the junior college level. So he knows the speed of the game from the get go and doesn’t need the time to learn it like new players from high schools or junior college players with no 1-A experience has do to. Probably more importantly is his confidence is back and that makes him a dangerous weapon again. 

Whenever you read or talk to someone about Edwards, it is clear he likes razzle-dazzle and dunking the ball. Teammates have said they are in awe of his ability to get up and slam the ball through the hoops. He loves entertaining the crowd and plays to them to hear them cheer. Once in a while a player hits the court that connects with the fans, North Texas Fans will find they have that one in Edwards. Eagle fans are going to enjoy watching this player when he steps on the court of the Super Pit and he is going to be worth the price of admission.  

Edwards has played AAU ball for the Houston Select as well as the Houston Knights and has scored as high as 44 points in a game.

Edwards has no problems with his grades and should be on the court for the Eagles next season.