MALIBU, California – The Pepperdine men's basketball team earned its first selection in the NBA Draft since 2005 when Kessler Edwards was picked by the Brooklyn Nets in the second round tonight.
 
Edwards is the 32nd Wave to be picked in the NBA Draft, and the first since Alex Acker was taken by the Detroit Pistons in the second round in 2005. It's just the fifth time that a Wave has been chosen in the top two rounds. Edwards was taken 44th overall, the fifth-highest pick in program history.
 
Edwards turned pro after his junior season. He earned NABC All-District second team and All-West Coast Conference first team honors in 2020-21 while averaging 17.2 points and team bests of 6.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. He was named MVP of the College Basketball Invitational.
 
He scored 1,247 points over his three seasons and on Pepperdine's career all-time lists he ranks fifth in blocked shots (127), seventh in free throw percentage (78.8%) and eighth in three-pointers made (148). His career averages were 13.4 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.4 blocks.
 
Edwards' draft stock grew over the past several months thanks to his size (6-foot-8), shooting ability (he made 38.7% of his three-pointers over three years) and defensive prowess.
 
Edwards will attempt to become the 18th Pepperdine product to appear in an NBA game.
 
Edwards' pick continues a tremendous NBA Draft legacy of players who were coached by Lorenzo Romar. Edwards is the 26th player coached by Romar (either as a head coach or assistant coach) taken in the draft.
 
First & Second Round Picks at Pepperdine: Dennis Johnson (1976, 2nd), Doug Christie (1992, 1st), Brandon Armstrong (2001, 1st), Alex Acker (2005, 2nd), Kessler Edwards (2021, 2nd).
 
Highest-Drafted Players at Pepperdine: Doug Christie (17th, 1992), Brandon Armstrong (23rd, 2001), John Furlong (26th, 1951), Dennis Johnson (29th, 1976), Kessler Edwards (44th, 2021).