Sports

Basketball looking for comeback season

Red-shirt freshman Isreal Edwards is looking forward to his sophomore season and looking to help his team go to new heights. 

Isreal is from Shreveport, La. and went to Green Oaks high school, he committed to Grambling last September. 

He had a breakout senior year and looks to go out there and help the GSU program. 

Last year, the Grambling state men’s basketball team did not live up to the hype they were expected to be at, with the season 12-12 and in conference play 9-6 they are looking to bounce back. 

With two nice freshmen and five transfers the team looks really good. This year they will have a tough schedule as they play multiple top division schools like Iowa State, Texas Tech who was in the final four a couple years ago and Grand Canyon. 

“Practices and weight room have been very intense; we are just preparing to have great season and Coach Jackson and the coaching staff are doing a great job, and they just want me to go out there and play defense for the team, which I don’t mind doing, anything that’s willing to help I just want to produce,” Edwards said

In high school Edwards was one of the top guards in the city of Shreveport, playing against his teammate Tra’Micheal Moton "TMIKE". TMIKE is the leading point guard for the Tigers and he is going to put on a show. Due to last year’s senior Trevell Cunningham who brought a lot of leadership to the table. 

“With TMIKE leading us at the point guard position and our big men who just dominate the paint and me bringing that spark off the bench playing defense, knocking shots the team is going to be dangerous,” Edwards said

Conference play is going to the biggest test of year with Texas Southern winning the SWAC last year and playing one game from NCAA tournament they are looking to head back with a top recruit Shaqir O’Neal, who is the son of Shaq. Southern also looked like a great team every year and one of the biggest rivals in sports history. Schools like Florida A & M and Prairie view are solid as well, so conference will be great test. 

“A big game every year is playing Southern knowing they having a lot of transfers, and Florida A&M will be a big game as well, we are ready and are looking to doing well this year. Staying healthy will be a big part as well, because last year I had an ankle injury,” Edwards said. 

This season will be extremely tough with non-conference and conference play, knowing this group can change the program and Grambling will be looked at different. 

Freshman Israel Edards