Gannon’s Raphell Thomas-Edwards is a true journeyman, and he’s hoping that his journey will continue into a long NCAA Tournament run in 2015.
To understand Thomas-Edwards’ game, you must look back at where the 6-foot-6, 245-pound senior has been. He began his career in Leicester, England, playing for coach Karl Brown at the Gateway School. Under Karl, Thomas-Edwards would learn everything he needed to know to raise his game to the next level, averaging 25 points and 14 rebounds during his senior season. He played on the British U-18 team that played in the European Championships, leading them with 10 points and 7.9 rebounds per game.
From there, he found himself playing at a Division I school in the United States, playing at the University of Buffalo for two seasons, averaging 1.8 points and 2.4 rebounds per game as a sophomore and even seeing time in the MAC tournament.
Then things got shaky as Buffalo changed head coaches and Bobby Hurley took over for the Bulls.
“He said I didn’t fit the system,” Thomas-Edwards said, “so I ended up coming to Gannon.”
Thomas-Edwards was one of three players to not return to the roster at Buffalo for the following season. Instead, he came to the PSAC and has thrived as a member of the Gannon Golden Knights.
Through a season and a half, Thomas-Edwards averages 10.4 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. In 2015, his statistics are above his career average in both categories at 10.8 points and 9.6 rebounds.
He’s had five of his career nine double-doubles this season, including a 22 and 12 night against then-No. 5 IUP. His 22 points came on a clean 9-for-9 shooting. 
The swingman credits his ability to get double-doubles on his work ethic.
“I came in as a hard worker and that’s just what you have to do,” he said. “Last year I had to come in and learn the system and I think now I’m just more confident in my abilities after being given that new role as a senior.”
Though hard work can lead to big numbers, it’s not possible without having a little bit of technique and taking the advice of your coach, the senior added.
“I have to do everything right in terms of boxing out and being in position and not fouling,” he said. “We always stress rebounding in practice and it’s just a testament to what Coach (John T.) Reilly does.”
The Golden Knights, who began the season by losing four of its first six games after being picked to win the PSAC West, enter 2015 as the only undefeated team in the PSAC West at a perfect 7-0. If the team wants to continue its success in the new year, Thomas-Edwards will be a big part of the gameplan. The senior has scored in double-figures in four of his last five games, averaging 13.0 points and 12.0 rebounds during that stretch. He’s currently 14th in the country in double-doubles this season.
The team as a whole only gives up 56.3 points per game, which leads the PSAC. That fact makes up for the team being last in the league in scoring at 62.3 points per game. Thomas-Edwards said, though, that Gannon has been a team that’s been able to grind out wins all season.
“At Gannon we always have a target on our back. We won last year and we always play good teams,” he said. “We just have to keep working hard.”
The senior said that he’s most looking forward to finishing his career with his hard-working teammates and hopes to make a substantial run at an NCAA championship before he moves on from Gannon.
The journey continues as the Golden Knights open up 2015 with Millersville and Shippensburg in back-to-back days beginning today.
Photo Credit: Gannon Athletics
