PURDUE’S EDWARDS LEADS AP ALL-AMERICA TEAM

Carsen Edwards went through the NBA draft combine and multiple workouts before deciding to return for his junior season at Purdue.

The Boilermakers are sure happy he did after losing four seniors and most of their scoring.

The prolific guard was the leading vote getter in The Associated Press preseason men's All-America team released on Tuesday, appearing on 63 of 65 ballots from a national media panel. Edwards was joined by North Carolina forward Luke Maye, Duke freshman R.J. Barrett, Kansas big man Dedric Lawson, Nevada's Caleb Martin and Wisconsin's Ethan Happ.

The 6-foot-1 Edwards was a thirdteam All-American last season after averaging 18.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists. He's expected to play a bigger role as the leader and go-to player on a young team. Edwards is Purdue's first preseason AP All-American since JaJuan Johnson in 2010-11.

"He's a very dynamic player. He's unique from a physical standpoint," Purdue coach Matt Painter said. "He's kind of got the body and the explosiveness like a Saquon Barkley. He plays through his offense. I think for guys like that, as you get older, you get more experience, more responsibility, but you don't change who you are."

Like Edwards, Maye was a third-team All-American who entered his name into the draft before withdrawing. Last season, the 6-foot-8 forward averaged 16.9 points and 10.1 rebounds.