Edmonds going Grizzly

When a team loses its most productive player, a dip is inevitable unless a replacement talent is brought aboard. Montana has done just that with the signing of Jermaine Edmonds Jr. out of Diablo Valley College (DVC).

As a freshman coming out of Salesian High, the 6-foot-5 Edmonds Jr. got right to work, totaling 14.5 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game on 47%, 40% 71% shooting respectively. He was the primary creator on the DVC offense and earned All League honors as Coach Steve Coccimiglio's squad finished 20-9 overall, 8-6 in the very tough Big 8 Conference.

The Griz are graduating 6-foot-5 Kareem Jamar who put up 18.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game in his final year. Now Edmonds Jr. isn't looking to be Jamar II -- much more Edmonds I -- but it is he who will be tasked with filling the void.

But there is no added pressure about this situation or any aspect of basketball as Edmonds Jr. views critical situations in games "as just another moment."

In a press release after the signing, Montana Coach Wayne Tinkle offered his take: "He (Edmonds Jr.) can play the one, two, or the three...He can really handle the ball; he can shoot it; he can drive and finish; and he's a really good passer..."

So why the move to Big Sky Country?

"When I visited, I really like the guys, the coaches and the campus," Edmond Jr. answered. "Chemistry is a big thing to me and I could see it was there."

Plus, he will be rejoining former Salesian teammate, point Mario Dunn -- "that will be a good plus" -- who enjoyed a very solid initial Griz season. Edmonds Jr. and Dunn were critical members of the Pride team that finished 34-2 in 2012, winning the California State Division IV championship. Winning that title is Edmonds Jr's' favorite basketball moment to date.

Asked what he will bring to his new team, Edmonds Jr. replied, "I have a pretty good basketball IQ and I know the game well. I can score and see the floor to get open shots for teammates." He is proud of how he has worked to improve his jumpshot.

Edmonds Jr. is planning on majoring in Communications with the idea of going into coaching once his playing days have subsided. "I like the game of basketball and would miss not being around it."

He cites "my Dad and my uncles" as his biggest basketball influences because he learned by watching them play and by them coaching him.

Will Cherry began the proverbial Missoula pipeline. Dunn continued it. Now, Edmonds Jr. is the latest member of the harvest repping the Bay Area.