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Why did B.J. Edwards transfer to SMU basketball from Tennessee

Why did B.J. Edwards transfer to SMU basketball from Tennessee

(This story was updated to include new information.)

B.J. Edwards transferred to SMU after one season with Tennessee basketball.

Now Edwards could play against his former team if SMU defeats Miami (Ohio) in a First Four matchup in the Men's NCAA Tournament on March 18 in Dayton, Ohio.

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The 6-foot-3, 200-pound guard has started all 28 games for the Mustangs, averaging 12.7 points per game and 37% from 3-point range. He is second for SMU in assists with 138 and a team-high 65 steals.

Edwards will not play against Miami (Ohio) according to the availability report. He has missed the last five games because of a lower-body injury.

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Prep for March Madness with this year's Tennessee basketball highlights

Tennessee forward Felix Okpara (34) with the flex after scoring while fouled by Duke in a college basketball exhibition game on October 26, 2025, in Knoxville, Tenn.

How did B.J. Edwards do at Tennessee?

The former Knoxville Catholic star averaged 4.3 minutes in 14 games as a freshman for the Vols during the 2022-23 season. He posted 1.2 points per game.

Edwards likely was not in line for a significant role in a deep backcourt in the 2023-24 season after UT added two transfers and Santiago Vescovi opted to return for a fifth year. He likely would have been set for a notable role the following season as the Vols have stressed his future potential being high as a point guard.

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Tennessee turned over its roster in the offseason with seven additions, including guard Freddie Dilione who enrolled early in January. The Vols signed four-star forward JP Estrella, four-star guard Cameron Carr, and three-star forward Cade Phillips.

UT added three transfers in USC Upstate guard Jordan Gainey, Northern Colorado guard Dalton Knecht , Harvard forward Chris Ledlum .

Tennessee returned junior guards Jahmai Mashack and Zakai Zeigler. Vescovi chose to return, giving UT a trio of veteran guards.

What Rick Barnes said about B.J. Edwards

Edwards was the No. 104 prospect in the 247Sports Composite.

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"We think B.J. has a chance to blossom into one of the best all-around guards in the SEC if he continues to work hard and buys into our player development program," coach Rick Barnes said after Edwards signed with the Vols. "Keeping him here in Knoxville has been a priority for us."

Edwards was the lone Vols signee in the 2022 class.

"B.J. is a player we've known for a long time, and he's a winner," Barnes said. "He's a complete guard who can impact the game in multiple ways. He plays with a lot of confidence and great pace. He also defends at a high level, which is an attribute we value. He's always been an efficient scorer, but he also makes his teammates better as a distributor."

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Why did B.J. Edwards leave Tennessee basketball for SMU, transfer portal

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