With the first two play-in games over and done with, and the last two starting tonight at 6:40, the NCAA Tournament is officially under way. The 2012-2013 college basketball season is almost over and that means we'll be saying goodbye to the senior class and the student-athletes who have decided to leave early. For the players who declare for the NBA, we will see endless coverage on all media outlets over the next several months and throughout their careers. We also understand that most of the athletes will make a life for themselves doing something other than basketball and remain, in large part, out of the spotlight. But what about those former college players that have gone on to play the game they love professionally, but not in America?
If you're a UConn basketball fan, you no-doubt remember Gavin Edwards. The 6'10" Center from Gilbert, AZ served as the embodiment of Husky pride, using heart and hustle to improve from 6.5 minutes and 2.0 points per game to 30.4 minutes and 10.6 points per game. Since his UConn days, Edwards has traveled all over the world, playing everywhere from Korea to Greece. Gavin was nice enough to speak with Real Radio about what it was like to play for UConn and the various challenges that come with being an American basketball player over seas. Check it out!
What was it like playing under Hall of Fame coach, Jim Calhoun? What sort of relationship do you have with him now?
I will admit that I had a little bit of a tough time at first playing for Coach. I had heard all sorts of stories about how he was kind of crazy on the court during games and stuff, but nothing could really prepare me for how tough he was going to be on all his players. It took me a while to really realize that he doesn't do anything for no reason. Every time he yells at someone and looks like he is acting out, there is always some motive or reason for why he doing that. I think it was commonly known that I had a pretty short leash with him my first couple years, but I look back now and realize that he didn't really get the reaction that he wanted out of me when he would yell at me and pull me out of games after I had literally only been in a few seconds. Later in my career I found that I just had to play to make plays and not play to mess up, which is what I was doing in fear of him yanking me out of the game, which I think was one of the greatest things that I took away from playing at UConn. It kind of gives you a fearlessness that he kind of demands of his players.
Kevin Ollie began coaching the year after you left. Based on what you've seen out of Ollie and what you know about Calhoun, how do you think this change in coaching style will pan out on the court?
Coach Calhoun and Coach Ollie's coaching styles are very different but they both demand the same thing of their players from what I have seen. Coach Calhoun is a very outspoken and in your face, no none sense type of coach. Where Coach Ollie is a little more nurturing. However, both coaches care deeply for their players and demand everything out of their players on the court. I think both coaches have been in situations where they have had all of the cards stacked against them but have still made best out of the situation and accomplished what most people outside the program didn't think was possible.
How closely did you follow the team this year (2012-2013)? What are your thoughts on the Big East realignment, the post-season ban, and how this team has responded to the various distractions put in front of them this season?
Being overseas I wasn't able to catch all of the games due to the time difference but I would watch games whenever I could. I thought this years team played hard every single game and had an unbelievable season considering all the odds that were against them. They were really a joy to watch, even I think most people really didn't expect much from them. It is really a shame that they had to serve the post season ban. I think they had a very good chance to make the tournament and make a great run. I don't think UConn was fairly punished with the post season ban at all. Although there may have been some academic shortcomings, I think that if every other University was investigated to the extent and prosecuted as UConn was, there would be a lot more major Universities hanging it up for the season before the tournament starts. Aside from all of the other distractions I think this years team fought hard every game and a lot of husky fans loved them for that and really enjoyed watching every game.
Can you give us a quick breakdown of where you have played basketball over the past few years?
My first year out of school I played in South Korea and the NBA D-League. My second year I played in Greece. This year I am playing in Malaysia.
I assume that you are one of only a handful of Americans in all of these different countries. While I'm sure you love playing basketball for a living, are there any major difficulties with moving around so much and living over seas?
One of the hardest parts of playing overseas is pretty much just being away from your friends and family for so long. Most seasons players have to go through preseason on top of all of the games with whatever team they are playing for which adds a couple of months that you have to be gone. On average I would say most players are gone about 7-8 months out of the year. It is a lot easier now days with all of the technology, making it much easier to keep in touch with everyone but it still sucks not being able to be around for pretty much all of the major holidays and stuff. It is also hit and miss with the quality of life as well. Some countries are very westernized and have a good amount of "normal" food but other countries are very traditional and don't have a lot of food that we are used to eating.
I read in the Hartford Courant, that you came back to UConn to finish up your degree. Why did you feel it was important for you to do that?
I wanted to come back and get my degree because I really wanted to get my degree and the longer I put it off the less likely I was be motivated to come back and get it later on in life. One of the good things about being able to play still is that I pretty much have the whole summer to do whatever I want with, so that gives me a good chance to take the classes I need to graduate and still be able to workout for the upcoming season.
In the same article, I read that due to the economic problems in Greece, you were at one point owed $30,000, but didn't expect to get it back anytime soon. Are you still waiting for that money, or has the problem resolved itself?
Yeah I am still waiting on that money. It is a pretty lengthy process in order to get the team to pay up. I basically have to take them to court with FIBA, which is governing body of basketball in the world. When the case is ruled in my favor, the team will have sanctions placed against them until they pay me all of the money that they owe me. That whole process can take years though so there is no telling when that could happen.
The rappers that I have been listening to most recently are Kendrick Lamar, Joey Badass, Andre 3000, Action Bronson, Big K.R.I.T., Lupe Fiasco, Pusha T, Curren$y, Frank Ocean, Earl Sweatshirt, J. Cole, Jay Z, And Kanye. I think hip hop is headed in two very different directions. I think there are rappers who really take their craft seriously as musicians and artists, then there are the rappers that make music just for the money and fame. Unfortunately I think the rappers that most often go unnoticed are the rappers that are much nicer lyrically but don't have any big radio hits that gets them noticed by the casual fan that only knows someone if they are in the top 10 on iTunes. For Example I am a huge fan of Action Bronson but I think if you ask most people they would think Action Bronson was a 1970's movie star. There are rappers getting multimillion dollar record deals because they have one or two hot songs, when if you look at the body of work of some of the rappers I mentioned above, is in my opinion much better and more deserving of the money and help that is provided by the labels. I think there are without a doubt a good crop of artists that can take over and lead hip hop in a good direction, but I think a lot of that depends on whether a lot of them get the shine that they undoubtedly deserve.
(Edwards Dunking at the Greater Hartford Pro-Am)
