One University of Indianapolis basketball commit learned directly from his father what bouncing back from great difficulty and embracing the journey look like.
Whiteland High School senior Ethan Edwards committed to play basketball at UIndy and is set to hit the court in the fall. Ethan is leading the Whiteland basketball team with 20.5 average points per game and 88% from the free throw line through the first 15 games of the season.
“Basketball, it’s pretty much my whole life,” Ethan said. “It’s what I grew up doing and is what I inherited from my father.”
In 2018, Brad Edwards, Ethan’s father, was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. As of this week, he had his 113th surgery. Brad’s diagnosis came six months after he and his wife Amanda Edwards won full custody of his sons Ethan and Kyle Edwards. Brad said he had his esophagus, stomach and a part of his small intestine removed and receives frequent blood transfusions. Brad said he cannot have continuous, physically demanding surgeries like this much longer and will likely need a feeding tube, but he said he is not going to give up his fight.
“I’m not going through all of this to throw in the towel now,” Brad said. “It is too late, and I’m too far committed.”
Despite their father’s numerous surgeries and trials, Ethan and Kyle, who is also on the Whiteland basketball team, both described their father as “tough.” Ethan and Kyle said this is apparent in his faith and mentality amid his fight against cancer. Brad said the two main reasons why he continues to fight are his boys and his faith in God. Brad’s biggest wishes for his future are to watch his boys play college basketball, graduate from college and get married. He also hopes to be a grandfather one day.
To the Edwards family, basketball is what bonds them. Brad played basketball at Whiteland High School and graduated in 1997, where he scored over 1,000 points during his career wearing the number 32. Ethan now wears the same number in honor of his father, and Kyle will wear it after Ethan graduates. Brad coached his sons as they grew up, and Ethan said his father’s intense coaching style brought the best out of him, which he is grateful for.
Brad said Ethan has a heart of gold. As far as his athletic talent, Brad’s message to UIndy is clear.
“He’s just a good kid …” Brad said. “You’re going to get a good player for four years and a kid that, when he commits, he’s in. His work ethic is tireless.”
UIndy Men’s Basketball Head Coach Scott Heady said he began to scout Ethan in late spring last year and thinks he is going to be a good player. Ethan made many strides and improved a lot over the summer, according to Heady. He said Ethan can shoot the ball, is a smart player and Heady likes his size on the court.
“Ethan, he’s a good student and a high-character person,” Heady said. “That’s all the things that we look for in players that we feel are going to fit into the culture of our program.”
Ethan said he has been to almost all of UIndy’s home basketball games this year and loves the culture Heady has brought to the team. The team is a good group of people to be around, and it is always enjoyable to watch the team play, according to Ethan.
Aside from basketball, Brad said he encourages the UIndy community to enjoy the journey life gives you and to not take anything for granted.
“Whether you’re a student or a student-athlete, every day is a chance for you to grow as a person, whether it be spiritually, athletically or educationally,” Brad said. “In everything, try to find that learning moment.”
