Sports Illustrated has begun unveiling its top-ranked college basketball players by position ahead of the 2025–26 season, and the Providence Friars have landed their first honoree: shooting guard Jason Edwards. Among the 15 shooting guards ranked, four represent the Big East, including UConn’s Solo Ball (No. 4), Creighton’s Josh Dix (No. 9), and Marquette’s Chase Ross (No. 13). Here’s what SI’s Kevin Sweeney had to say about one of Friartown’s newest additions:

15. Jason Edwards, Providence

“Edwards is an under-the-radar candidate to lead the nation in scoring this season. In just 25 minutes per game in 2024–25, Edwards averaged 17 points per game, helping lift Vanderbilt to the NCAA tournament. While his 6′ 1” stature makes him look more like a traditional point guard, expect Providence to free Edwards up to go score and leave distributing duties to a more by-committee approach. “

The Friars ranked 84th in the country in three point shooting percentage last season and Edwards should be able to help improve that ranking, especially with how much more he should be freed up with not having to carry the entire scoring load for next season’s team.

Edwards transferred to Providence following a stellar season at Vanderbilt in 2024-25 where he led the Commodores in scoring (17.0 ppg) and helped them to a 20-13 record and NCAA Tournament berth. He also earned Third Team All-SEC honors as the result of his high-level play last season.

Edwards ranked eighth in the SEC in scoring and hit 65 threes at a more than respectable 35.3% clip. A percentage that he was able to achieve will shooting 5.6 threes a game. Edwards made multiple three-pointers in 22 of 33 games last season. Last season for the Friars, only two players made 65+ three point shots and both of those players are no longer on the team, Bensley Joseph with 74 & Jayden Pierre -with 67. In fact, PC only had 66 three-point makes from players returning to the Friars line-up from last season’s team between Rich Barron (34), Corey Floyd Jr. (22), Ryan Mela (9), & Nilavan Daniels (1). Edwards shot 83.1% from the line, including 143 makes, which ranked first on the team. He was able to show off his scoring prowess by logging 10 20-point games, highlighted by a 30-point night vs. TCU.

The season prior, Edwards averaged 19.1 ppg and hit 84 threes at North Texas, where he earned First Team All-AAC and NABC All-District honors. Edwards was able to rack up five 30-point performances that year, including a (still) career-high 37 vs. Tulane.