Athletics Headlines: Ryan Edwards Selected First Pick of the CBA’s Rockford Lightning

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September 21, 2005

Ryan Edwards Selected First Pick of the CBA’s Rockford Lightning

Missouri Baptist University graduate, Ryan Edwards, has signed to play for the Continental Basketball Association’s (CBA) Rockford Lightning. After two seasons as Missouri Baptist’s leading scorer, American Midwest Conference all-conference pick and one year as an All-American selection, the Lightning chose Edwards as their first-round pick, No. 6 overall, in Tuesday night’s 20th annual CBA Draft.

Edwards, a 2005 graduate, went to Carthage College for his first two years of college basketball out of high school. MBU head coach, Tony Tompkins, was contacted by a disgruntled Edwards and signed him to a scholarship after one look. It did not take long for Edwards to produce during his two years at Missouri Baptist.

Edwards, who played high school basketball at Glenbard West (IL) says he is grateful for his opportunity at Missouri Baptist University. “I got two years of experience to learn what to do in certain situations and help me become a team leader” said Edwards.

Edwards was the first of the Lightning’s eight picks. Also drafted by the Lightning were; 7-footers Jeff Hagen of Minnesota and Alex Dunn of Wyoming along with 6-foot-11 centers Aaron Coombs of University of North Carolina-Wilmington and Kenyon Gamble of Tuskegee University. The Lightning also chose stars from opponents in last year’s NCAA tournament with the selections of 6-foot-3 guard Ed McCants of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and 6-foot-6 forward Roger Powell of Illinois.

Edwards averaged 17 points for MBU in helping them to two consecutive trips to the NAIA National Tournament.

*Parts of this article were taken from Rockford Register Star