Rutgers-Newark Athletics

By Jim Hague

Renee Edwards didn’t exactly have a memorable first two seasons in college basketball.

Even before she got a chance to put on her uniform at Rutgers-Newark two seasons ago, she suffered a severe concussion that knocked her out of action for nearly eight weeks.

“It happened in my third practice,” Edwards said. “I was out for at least a month and a half and when I got back, it was almost impossible to catch up. It really messed me up and pushed me back.”

For Edwards, it was the beginning of a learning process at her new school. Because the 5-9 Edwards was being asked to learn a new position, going from being a guard in high school to becoming a forward on the college level.

“This was a complete role change for me,” Edwards said. “I was completely a guard in high school, so it was so totally different.”

“She played her entire life facing the basket and now she had to learn playing with her back to the basket,” Rutgers-Newark head coach Kevin Morris said. “She had to learn how to become a post player. It was a huge challenge for Renee. We also play an up-tempo style of basketball here, so she had to get comfortable with that as well.”

So Edwards’ first two seasons at R-N were basically transitional. She had to recover from injuries and she had to learn a new position.

“It was an interesting time for me,” Edwards laughed.

But as Edwards begins her junior season with the Scarlet Raiders, she is handling things much better and it shows.

Edwards has been playing a lot more and producing more for R-N, scoring 10 points and grabbing five rebounds last Monday night in a loss to Baruch and had 10 points and five rebounds in a win over York College last Saturday, her first collegiate start.

Edwards is averaging nearly six points per game and five rebounds, more than double her production of her first two years with the Scarlet Raiders.

“I have a lot more confidence now than I had at any time over the last two years,”
Edwards said. “I don’t know what it is, but offensively, I’m a lot more confident. I knew that I was going to have to step up this year. I didn’t have that mind set in the past. I have a lot more opportunity this year.”

“She’s gained a little more experience and with that, comes the confidence,” Morris said. “She knew that she had to produce to play. But she’s also doing what we want. She always had the ability to make the short range jumper. But she’s rebounding better. She’s finally getting into game shape. We’re going to need a lot more of that for the rest of the season.”

Edwards believes she’s a much better player now.

“I think the game is a lot easier this year than it has been,” Edwards said. “I think my defensive play has been the main thing. I’m a totally different defensive player. I am also a better ball handler as well. Before I got here, the only thing I could do was shoot the ball. Now, I’m doing a lot of things.”

And Edwards likes her new role.

“I’m enjoying basketball a lot more,” Edwards said. “I have a different outlook this year. I think the team has so much potential because we have so many young girls on the team. We’re doing well for an inexperienced team. Hopefully, I can keep playing well and the team can improve.”

Edwards’ personal life has taken a turn for the better as well. In October, she enlisted in the United States Army Reserves and will go to basic training at Fort Leonard in Missouri after school is done in May.

“I’m very excited about that,” Edwards said. “It could be a good career move for me. I will continue with school and then go to training in the summer. It’s very exciting.”

Edwards holds a double major at R-N, majoring in criminal justice and sociology.

“It’s not that bad,” Edwards said about juggling the brutal academic schedule with the basketball regimen. “We practice late usually, so I get my homework done and then go to practice. I take a lot of pride in my school work.”

Edwards hopes to someday pursue a career as either a corrections officer or perhaps a state trooper. She will work in criminal investigating while as a member of the Army Reserve.

“I also want to pursue a Master’s degree and I should be able to get that in five years,” Edwards said. “I’m really excited to get moving into my career. If I could start now, I would.”

For now, Edwards is happy playing a new position with an increased role for the Scarlet Raiders.