LITTLE ROCK - Former UALR standout
Shane Edwards will be one of 17 players on the Denver Nuggets' preseason roster when the reigning Northwest Division champions open training camp on Sept. 28. Edwards earned a free-agent invitation to the Nuggets' training camp after a strong showing with Denver's summer league team in Las Vegas, Nev.
A 6-7 forward, Edwards averaged 12.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in his rookie season with the Albuquerque Thunderbirds of the NBA Developmental League in 2009-10. He followed that up with a strong showing for Denver's summer league team, averaging 10.8 points and 4.2 rebounds over 24.1 minutes per game.
"I think I played extremely well in Las Vegas. I just tried to go out there and impress the scouts," said Edwards. "I just played my game and tried to let the game come to me. I had a lot of fun playing out there. It was a real good experience."
A 2009 First Team All-Sun Belt Conference selection, Edwards averaged 11.8 points and 5.4 rebounds per game as a senior to lead the Trojans to a 23-8 record and a school-record 15.3 mark in league play.
NBA teams can have a maximum of 15 players signed and practicing with the team, but only 12 players on the active game roster.
"(Denver) was just impressed with how hard I worked. They told me that I really did a great job," said Edwards. "I plan to do whatever I can, whatever is asked of me to get a spot on the team. Basically, I'm going to go in and work my butt off."
The Nuggets will have a week of practice leading up to the 2010 Preseason Jam at 1stBANK Center on Oct. 5. Denver opens its eight-game preseason schedule at home against Portland on Oct. 8.
For more information on the Denver Nuggets, go to http://www.nba.com/nuggets/.
