HOW JOHN BECAME A HAWK (career transactions): Signed as a free agent on August 23, 2005 • Undrafted, but signed with the Indiana Pacers as a free agent on September 14, 2004.

2005 SUMMER LEAGUE: Played in four contests (one start) for the Pacers’ entry at the Minnesota Summer League, and averaged 3.8 ppg and 2.5 rpg in 12.8 mpg (.400 FG%, 3-3 FTs).

LAST SEASON (2004-05 with Indiana): Edwards saw action in 25 games (starting once), averaging 1.2 ppg and 0.8 rpg (.367 FG%, .500 FT%) in 5.6 mpg • He blocked four shots and collected 19 rebounds on the campaign • Put in a career-best 9 points (adding 5 rebounds) on 12/3/04 at Sacramento • Notched a career-high two blocks on 11/10 vs. LAC • Did not appear on Indiana’s playoff roster • SEASON HIGHS: 9 pts @Sac (12/3/04), 5 rebs @Sac (12/3/04), 2 assts @Sac (12/3/04), 1 stl (3x), 2 blks v/LAC (11/10/04), 31 mins @Sac (12/3/04), 4 FGM @Sac (12/3/04), 3 FTM v/Utah (3/16/05).

COLLEGIATE CAREER: Played four years at Kent State, where the former walk-on was named first team All-Mid-American Conference as a senior (2003-04) • Anchored the Golden Flashes’ fourth consecutive East Division title with a league-high and school record 81 blocks, and averaged a team-best 13.2 ppg • Was the league’s Defensive Player of the year as well, recording 2.6 bpg (16th in the nation) • Also hit 52.9 percent of his field goal attempts, and led the team at 6.7 rpg • As a junior (2002-03), played in all 31 games (three starts), and posted 7.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg and 1.3 bpg, hitting 63.3 percent from the floor, the third-best mark in school history • Also hit 71.2 percent of his free throws • Played in 35 games as a sophomore (2001-02), averaging 3.5 ppg and 2.1 rpg • Ranked 13th in the MAC in blocked shots (0.7 bpg) • Knocked down 60.5 percent of his field goals • Improved his free throw shooting from 43 percent as a freshman to 60.5 percent as a sophomore • Played in 32 contests his redshirt freshman year (2000-01), and posted 2.0 ppg and 1.7 rpg, ranking eighth in the league with 1.03 bpg • Averaged a block every 6.5 minutes of action.