ORONO, Maine — Justin Edwards is essentially a free agent since announcing his intention to transfer out of the University of Maine at semester’s end.
The flashy sophomore guard has begun the process of finding a new school to finish his basketball career and his college education.
Edwards has revealed that he is headed this weekend to Ames, Iowa, for an NCAA official visit at Iowa State University.
Edwards, a native of Whitby, Ontario, Canada, mentioned the Twitter names of two other Canadians who are members of the Cyclones roster this season. They are Melvin Ejim of Toronto, who will be a senior next season, and sophomore Naz Long of Mississauga, Ontario.
All three reportedly played in the CIA Bounce AAU program in Canada.
A chart on Cyclonefanatic.com reveals that Iowa State does not presently have any available scholarships for the 2013-14 season. If nothing changes in that regard, it would not prevent Edwards from attending the university, as he could pay his own way for one year and accept a scholarship for 2014-15.
An NCAA “official (paid) visit” is one for which the university picks up the student-athlete’s expenses for travel, lodging, meals and entertainment. A visit may last up to 48 hours.
A prospect may make only one official visit per school and is limited to five official visits.
A student-athlete may make as many unofficial visits as he or she wishes, although they assume all of the attendant expenses.
During an official visit, Edwards is allowed by NCAA rules to participate in workouts, such as pickup games, that are neither organized by nor observed by members of the coaching staff.
The fact Edwards will make an official visit speaks to the legitimacy of Iowa State’s interest, since each school is allowed to provide a maximum of 12 official visits in basketball from Aug. 1 to July 31 each year.
This season, Iowa State of the Big 12 posted a 23-12 overall record, including an 11-7 conference mark. Coach Fred Hoiberg’s Cyclones made their second straight NCAA tournament appearance, losing to Ohio State in the third round.
For Edwards, part of the allure of Iowa State might be its propensity for playing a high-scoring uptempo style that would fit his speed and open-court skills. The Cyclones led the Big 12 and ranked third in the country by averaging 79.4 points per game.
They had five players who averaged double-figure scoring this season.
Iowa State also was a prolific 3-point shooting team — an area that is not one of Edwards’ strengths — leading the nation with 9.9 3-pointers per contest.
Edwards earned All-America East second-team recognition this season after he led the conference in scoring with 16.7 points per game, tying Binghamton’s Jordan Reed. The 6-foot-3 guard also contributed 5.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and a league-best 1.9 steals per game while playing an average of 32.7 minutes.
Edwards was an all-rookie pick during his freshman season (2011-12), when he posted 13.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.4 steals per contest.
Dottin-Carter moves to rival
Dennis Dottin-Carter has left the football coaching staff at UMaine to work at the University of Delaware.
Dottin-Carter, a native of Cambridge, Mass., spent five seasons working under Black Bears head coach Jack Cosgrove. Last season, in addition to his duties as the defensive line coach, he also was the defensive special teams coordinator.
He began his UMaine coaching career working with tight ends for two seasons, then was the running backs coach in 2010. In 2011 he moved over to the defensive line.
Dottin-Carter joins a new staff at Delaware under coach Dave Brock, who replaced K.C. Keeler.
Dottin-Carter earned a degree in kinesiology and physical education from UMaine in 2004. As a player, he helped the Bears win back-to-back Atlantic 10 championships and advance to the NCAA’s Football Championship Subdivision (then-Division I-AA) national quarterfinals both seasons.
He was an All-Atlantic 10 first-team choice at linebacker as a senior in 2002.