SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State men's basketball head coach Dana Ford announced Monday the signing of transfer Cesare (SAY-zar) Edwards, a 6-foot-9 forward from Hartsville, S.C., who played the last two seasons at Xavier University.
 
Last season, Edwards played in 23 contests for the Musketeers, averaging 7.9 minutes per game and averaging 2.2 points and 4.4 rebounds per outing. He fired at a 56.4 percent from the field and ranked fifth on the team in offensive rebounds for a 27-10 team that played three games in the NCAA Tournament. As a freshman in 2021-22, he played in 11 of the last 14 games and got into 15 games total. He scored 2.1 points and snagged 1.4 rebounds per outing with a .520 field goal percentage.

Edwards scored over 1,000 career points and grabbed over 800 career rebounds at Hartsville (S.C.) High where he averaged 17.2 points, 15.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 3.0 blocks per game as a senior under head coach Yusef English, while being named Region Co-Player of the Year. He was a four-star recruit and ranked No. 87 nationally by 247Sports.
 
He will have two years of eligibility remaining at Missouri State where he joins the Bears for coach Dana Ford's sixth season at the helm.

Ford on Edwards
"We're excited to have Cesare joining our team. He comes from a winning program and has proven that he can compete and contribute at every level he has played. He brings size and quickness and can play different positions. He definitely helps fill an immediate need for us, and we're looking forward to his contributions as a Bear."