As a kid growing up in The Netherlands, Jesse Edwards says the first time he ever heard about Syracuse was when he was playing a video game. No one from his country had ever suited up for the Orange, which, incidentally, happens to be the Dutch national color.

Maybe that explains why, when Jesse took his first steps on campus some years later, it was love at first sight.

"When I visited is really when I found out how big and beautiful the place is," he said. "I definitely like it here. It's a great place."

What You Need To Know


  • SU center Jesse Edwards says he first learned about Syracuse basketball on a video game

  • Edwards is the first native of The Netherlands to wear a Syracuse jersey

  • The sophomore turned in the best game of his young career vs Miami Tuesday, scoring 7 points and pulling down a career-high 6 rebounds in the victory

  • Edwards and the Orange host No. 16 Virginia Tech at 12:00pm Saturday on YES

It's taken SU fans a little longer to warm up to the soft-spoken and amiable Dutchman. Edwards averaged just seven minutes per game, scoring a total of 50 points in 21 games as a freshman. His sophomore season was off to an even slower start, with Jesse playing a total of 20 minutes in his first six appearances, totaling just three points and two rebounds.

His failure to collect more rebounds drew the ire of his coach, Jim Boeheim, who complained after one recent outing that the 6-11 Edwards was not even competing on the backboards. But, that all changed on Tuesday, when the sophomore pulled down a career-high six caroms in 23 minutes in SU's win over Miami.

"It really felt good, I'm not going to lie," said Edwards on a group zoom call Thursday. "It was a really good feeling to be able to, maybe, prove myself. I'm really going to try to build on this, that's what I'm thinking."

With starting center Bourama Sidibe still out indefinitely with a sore knee, and fill-in Marek Dolezaj's rebounding totals plummeting, Coach Boeheim is likely thinking the same thing. If the Orange are going to compete in the always-rugged ACC, an inside presence is an absolute must, and Edwards is looking to provide it.

One of Jesse's biggest challenges, though, is overcoming his natural tendencies. Off the court, Edwards is a gentle giant, exceedingly polite with the media, and always smiling.

But, when it comes to battling with the big boys of college basketball, like the old saying goes, nice guys finish last. So, along with his skills, Jesse is working to develop another type of mindset as a complement.

"I think most players will tell you there's a difference between you on the court and you off the court," he said. "It's something I had to learn, but I feel like I'm getting the hang of it, because the moment you step back on the court, you've just got to turn a switch, put on a different personality, and play your game."

If he plays his game like he did against the Hurricanes Tuesday night, it'll be a win-win for both Edwards and the Orange. He's only been in America for a little more than two years, so the 20-year old is still very young in his basketball career. Jesse says his only personal goal at Syracuse is to work as hard as he can, and "wherever that leads me, that leads me." More performances like his most recent one will allow that journey to continue.

"Any chance I get, I know I've got to take the opportunity," said Edwards. "I feel like I did that last game, and I really hope I can keep doing it."