The Kentucky Wesleyan College men’s basketball team started its signing season with two major announcements on Monday. The Panthers have signed Edward Jones Jr. and Scotty Draud to National Letters of Intent, as announced by Head Coach Drew Cooper.
“This will be a larger than average class in numbers and we are off to a great start,” said an elated Cooper. “Athletically, Eddie can do things as a forward that nobody on our roster could do this year. Scotty competes. He takes charges, he scores, he is a fine passer and has great instincts. I am very pleased to add them both.”
Edward Jones Jr is a 6-5 forward from New Orleans, Louisiana, but attends Indianapolis Pike High School where he led the team in field goal shooting the past two seasons. He also claimed the team’s top spot in rebounding last year as well. A Preseason Second Team selection by the Indianapolis Star, Jones helped Pike to a Sectional title. He also earned Marion County Honorable mention in his career.
“Eddie is a late bloomer and I believe will have a good college career,” said Bill Lynch, Jones’ high school coach. “He is of strong character and very good work ethic. He has competed against best competition in the Indianapolis area so he is prepared to meet the challenges and will continue to improve at the next level.”
Edward is the son of Kim McMiller and plans to study business in the fall.
“It is a great school and the history of the program is legendary,” commented Jones Jr. “I want to help add to it.”
Scotty Draud is a 6-5 guard from Edgewood, Kentucky, where he attended Beechwood High School. One of the state’s most prolific scorers, Draud has scored over 3,000 career points in his five-year varsity career. Not just a scorer, Draud has also collected over 800 rebounds in his prep career. As a senior, Draud averaged 25 points, 7.5 rebounds and nearly four assists per game.
“He has led a school with very little tradition in basketball to unprecedented heights, said Draud’s high school coach Erik Geotz. “In his career, he has led the Tigers to over 100 career wins, it’s first Class A Regional title, a 35th District championship and a 9th Region finals appearance. Most importantly, Scotty is a lifelong gym rat who has put a tremendous amount of work into his individual game. In addition to his personal drive, Scotty has really become a great teammate and team leader.
The 9th Region all-time leading scorer surpassed Brandon Hatton’s record this season as well. Draud has amassed an impressive number of awards in his career including being named First Team All-Conference four times, First Team All-Region three times, as well as All-State honors throughout his career.
“Kentucky Wesleyan College is the best fit for me to continue my athletic and academic careers on so many different levels,” said Draud. “I am excited to play basketball for Coach Cooper and his staff. Coach Cooper’s experience, style of play, and reputation is exactly what I am looking for in a college basketball coach and program. Wesleyan is also an outstanding academic school with a good business program, which will help to establish my future for life after basketball.”
Scotty is the son of Scott and Julie Draud and plans to study business.
The Panthers finished the 2020-21 campaign 10-6 with a 9-5 mark in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.
This is a KWC Athletics press release.
