It rained on his team’s parade on Saturday but didn’t spoil a special day for senior Zayden Edwards, his family, and the St. Andrew’s School community.
St. Andrew’s, a small, private school on Wilmington Island, saw its plans ruined by persistent inclement weather for a parade to celebrate the boys basketball program’s third state championship in four seasons.
The now-canceled event was paired with a ceremony for star point guard Edwards, who in the dry, familiar confines of Compton gymnasium, signed a scholarship with North Greenville University.
While that part was expected- Edwards had verbally committed to the NCAA Division II program in Tigerville, S.C., in November – he was caught off guard by the revelation that his No. 12 jersey would be retired. His older brother Zyere, who graduated from St. Andrew’s two years ago after a stellar career, had his No. 3 jersey retired.
“It was a surprise. It was a blessing,” Zayden Edwards said after the ceremony. “It’s a testament to my hard work at St. Andrew’s as a program and as a community. I’m forever indebted to it.”
He spent a majority of his speech showing gratitude to those who have impacted his life, including immediate and extended family, coaches, trainers, students, teammates, and school staff and faculty – many of whom gathered in the gymnasium.
Edwards had to pause during the speech, his voice breaking and eyes welling up, especially when talking about his mother, Tranise, who is recovering from surgery and attended the ceremony via a video telephone app.
“She’s doing well,” he said afterward. “(Giving the speech) was very emotional. This school has given me so much in four years. I just tried to reflect that in my speech and thank everyone who’s played such a big part in my life and ultimately leading up to this achievement.”
The 6-footer’s achievements outsize his physical stature and helped him accomplish his “lifelong dream” of playing college basketball. He noted that Zyere, a source of great inspiration and motivation – including early wake-up calls for morning workouts -- also achieved this goal and played the past two seasons at Augusta University.
“Two for two,” Zayden said, looking at Zyere and their father, Harold “Zion” Edwards. “That’s very impressive.”
Zayden finished as the program’s all-time leading scorer with close to 1,700 points, tops in assists, and second in steals. He started at point guard since his freshman year and is the only player in head coach Mel Abrams Jr.’s 10 seasons with the Lions to have played all five positions.
This past season, Edwards averaged 18.6 points, 5.6 assists, 4.6 rebounds, and 3.6 steals in leading the Lions to the GIAA Class 3A state crown on Feb. 28. He was voted the 3A Player of the Year for the second consecutive season and made all-region and all-state for the fourth straight year.
The Lions also won state titles in Zyere’s two seasons at SAS, with Zayden in 2021-22 and 2022-23. They reached the semifinals in 2023-24.
Abrams said Saturday before the ceremony that it was comforting to have an Edwards brother (or both) each of the last four years, especially this season with so many new faces. Zayden was the only player with state championship experience.
Zayden, who will graduate on May 22, was able to bring a new group together and reach the Lions’ end goal, the coach said.
“Just being a part of that with him as player and coach for the last four years and watching him grow, watching his game evolve, watching him evolve and come into his own as a person, it’s going to be a huge, huge loss,” Abrams said. “I’m happy for him but, if I’m being honest, it’s going to be interesting to see what it’s like without him.”
Abrams isn’t referring only to the senior’s impact from basketball. Edwards served four years on the student council and became president as a senior. He’s a member of the National Honor Society as well as the societies for science and Spanish. An automatic honor roll student, he has a 3.9 grade-point average. And that’s a short version of his list of achievements, honors, and activities since transferring from Bethesda Academy to St. Andrew’s for his freshman year.
“I remember seeing Zayden as an eighth-grader (at AAU basketball) and thinking to myself, the boy’s got a special, bright future,” Abrams said. “I even shared that with his dad. At that time when I made that statement, it was beyond just basketball. I saw something in someone, the leader, someone who was unselfish, who had the ability to make others around him better.”
Zayden acknowledged in his speech his fondness for Bethesda Academy and initial reluctance to transfer to a new school, though it gave him a chance to play on his brother’s team for the first time. But he fell in love with St. Andrew’s and cherishes his four years.
Not that he expected the Lions’ level of success.
“No, not at all,” he said. “I don’t think anyone saw what was going to happen. My dad knew that we could win state championships, we could make some noise, but the amount of love from the head of school, Dr. (Kelley) Waldron, from coach (Mel) Abrams and coach Gonzo (Jeff Gonzalez), to the lower schools, it was a community effort. The amount of wins and state championships and all-state players we’ve had, it’s a testament to the school. Ultimately, this place is very special.”
Gonzalez, the athletic director and a basketball coach, said in announcing the jersey retirement (though not the actual number) that there are rigorous requirements to have a student-athlete considered for the honor. That includes athletic achievements, academic standards, leadership qualities, and more, before needing a unanimous vote by varsity coaches and approval by the head of school and AD.
Abrams believes that North Greenville is getting a special, all-around talent.
“He will be someone that I think they’ll lean on and he’ll make a difference,” Abrams said. “Not solely on the basketball court. During the recruiting process when I was talking to coaches, who he is every day in the classroom, in the hallways, in practice, in the locker room, it’s what allows success to take place. I think his most valuable asset is who he as a person.”
Zayden Edwards said he talked with more than 30 college coaches but came to North Greenville’s attention after he was deeply recruited by nearby Furman. When that program contacted him and said it had closed its recruiting class of 2025, Furman assistant coach Rett Lister sent film of Edwards to his father, longtime NGU head coach Chad Lister.
Both Chad Lister and Edwards concluded that he is a great fit for NGU. With Zyere in the transfer portal, Zayden was asked if his brother could be a Trailblazer as well.
“He’s been talking to a plethora of different schools,” Zayden said. “It’s ultimately staying consistent, staying positive with his situation, and just trusting in God, understanding that wherever he lands is where he’s supposed to be.
“That’s a possibility,” he said of NGU. “We’re looking at it. If that happens, then history might repeat itself.”
Photo Credits: Courtesy Nathan Dominitz and St. Andrew's School communication department
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