Kessler Donovan Edwards (born August 9, 2000) is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Texas Legends of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Pepperdine Waves.
Edwards played basketball for Etiwanda High School in Rancho Cucamonga, California. As a junior, he averaged 17 points and nine rebounds per game, earning First Team All-Baseline League honors.[1] Edwards averaged 21.3 points and 7.3 rebounds per game as a senior and was named Baseline League MVP.[2] He competed for Prodigy Elite on the Amateur Athletic Union circuit.[3] A consensus three-star recruit, he committed to playing college basketball for Pepperdine.[4]
As a freshman at Pepperdine, Edwards averaged 10 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. He was a WCC All-Freshman Team selection.[5] As a sophomore, Edwards averaged 13.8 points and a team-leading 7.5 rebounds per game. He was named to the Second Team All-WCC.[6] On January 21, 2021, he recorded a career-high 37 points and 11 rebounds in an 85–68 win over Pacific.[7] He led Pepperdine to the College Basketball Invitational title and was named MVP.[8] As a junior, Edwards averaged 17.2 points and 6.8 rebounds per game, earning First Team All-WCC recognition. On April 23, 2021, he declared for the 2021 NBA draft while maintaining his college eligibility.[9] He later signed with BDA and WME Sports, forgoing his remaining eligibility.[10]
Edwards was selected in the second round of the 2021 NBA draft with the 44th pick by the Brooklyn Nets,[11] and was later included in the roster of the Nets for the 2021 NBA Summer League.[12] On August 16, he signed a two-way contract with the Nets. Under the terms of the deal, he split time between Brooklyn and their NBA G League affiliate, the Long Island Nets.[13] On April 10, 2022, Edwards's deal was promoted to a standard contract.[14]
On July 6, 2022, Edwards re-signed with the Nets to a reported two-year contract.[15][16]
On February 8, 2023, Edwards and cash considerations were traded to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for the draft rights to David Michineau.[17]
On August 27, 2024, Edwards signed a two-way contract with the Dallas Mavericks.[18]
Edwards's older brother, Kameron, played college basketball for Pepperdine before embarking on a professional career.[19]