University of Georgia Athletics
Quick Chat: Mike Edwards
February 27, 2019 | Men's Basketball, The Frierson Files
By John Frierson
Staff Writer
Mike Edwards' Georgia basketball career is winding down. On one hand, the 6-foot-9 senior forward from Westland, Mich., a suburb of Detroit, can't believe that time has passed so quickly, but on the other, he's eager to see what happens in the next chapter of his life.
Edwards recently sat down for a Quick Chat and talked about his time at Georgia, learning from Yante Maten, his creative side, pancakes and waffles and much more. Here's some of what he had to say:Â
Frierson: Does it feel like you've been here long enough for this to be the final stretch of your final season?
Edwards: The time flew by so fast and I still can't believe I'm a senior. It's crazy. But I am ready to get my degree and move on to the next step in my life.
Frierson: What do you think that will be?
Edwards: I'm going to test the waters and try to go overseas (and play), maybe. I'm going to still try to play basketball after this.
Frierson: Can you envision a future where you're not playing anymore, where you're not playing a team sport? Will it be weird to suddenly not be part of a team anymore, given that for most of your life you've been on different teams?
Edwards: It's going to be totally different. I actually can't imagine what my life's going to be like after (basketball). I haven't thought that far ahead yet. I'm going to take advantage of the family (team) that I have now, while I can, because it's not going to be around forever.
Frierson: When you're 30 years old, are you going to be running every day or playing pickup ball at the Y or what?
Edwards: (Laughs) I'm going to definitely keep hooping it up. I'll go to YMCA or somewhere, I'll keep hooping just for fun. I don't know what else I'm going to to as far as having a job yet.
Frierson: The last time we did this, you talked about how good you were with the Rubik's Cube and the videos you make. What are you doing now to tap into your creative side?
Edwards: I actually still am doing to video editing, so I still have an interest in that. I took a break on the Cube, I've got to start doing that again, but whatever I do in my free time, it's always been creative.
Frierson: Do you remember when that got started in your life, that creative expression?
Edwards: I've always been into technology, like games and computers, since I was the age of 5. My dad always used to play video games and I would try to take the controller from him and try to play them. Ever since I was 5 years old, I remember playing games all the time and it's stuck with me to this day.
Frierson: What's something old-school that your into?
Edwards: I do like old-school cars and I listen to old-school music. My old-school era for music is like Easy-E and the Tupac-type old school. For cars, something like an old Camaro. I don't know, I just like the looks of them.
My grandpa used to be really into old-school cars. I probably can't name any of them, but I know he really liked collecting them.
Frierson: If you could travel anywhere in the world on someone else's dime, where would you like to go?
Edwards: I think I want to go to Dubai, just because I've always wanted to see what it's like, what all the hype's about.
Frierson: Are you amazed at where basketball has taken you, as far as the places you've visited and the things you've gotten to see and experience?
Edwards: Yeah, definitely, I've been able to see a lot of new places. When we went to Spain, that was an amazing, amazing trip and I can't wait to go back there later in life. I definitely would not have been able to visit a lot of the places that I have without basketball. I really appreciate where it's taken me and what I've been able to see.
Frierson: What's a place in Athens that you're going to miss?
Edwards: Waffle House (laughs). That's my favorite spot and we don't have that in Michigan.
Frierson: What's something you could eat every day and never get tired of it?
Edwards: Pancakes, every day, no doubt. I also eat Eggo waffles every day, four to eight every day, every morning. I just came from eating Eggo waffles — I'll never get tired of eating those.
Frierson: Are you prepared for the day when your metabolism starts slowing down and you're going to have to exercise for an extra hour a day to cover all those waffles or pancakes?
Edwards: I hope my metabolism never slows down (laughs). It's always been fast, so I'll just have to stay in shape.
Frierson: Well, in some ways you may feel like an old man because you're a senior and the young guys on the team are a lot younger than you.
Edwards: And I'm starting to feel it in my body, too. I never thought I would say that, but I'm starting to feel it a little bit (laughs).
Frierson: Is there someone you've met during your time here that you're so grateful that you've been able to get to know that person?
Edwards: I think that would be Yante Maten, he definitely helped me get adjusted to college and showed me a lot of lessons and showed me the right things to do. He's still gives me tips on things to do and keeps motivating me, so I really appreciate him.
(This Q&A was lightly edited for length and clarity.)
John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files. He's also on Twitter: @FriersonFiles and @ITAHallofFame.
