Carsen Edwards referred to Bayern Munich’s long-term goals and the main difference he sees between Pablo Laso and Dimitris Itoudis. 

Carsen Edwards is slated to be one of FC Bayern Munich’s cornerstones in their effort to make the EuroLeague playoffs and recapture the German league title. 

The undersized American guard was first initiated into European basketball last season, when he joined Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul. Averaging 15 minutes per EuroLeague contest, the 25-year-old scoring guard was still able to put up 7.7 points, along with 1.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists. He fared better in the Turkish BSL, where he averaged 13.3 points per outing.

Fenerbahce came up short, losing to Olympiacos in the EuroLeague playoffs and to Anadolu Efes in the domestic league playoff semifinals. However, Edwards’ scoring instincts and abilities were in high demand last summer and Bayern didn’t waste any time as soon as he became available on the market. 

Playing against hosts Panathinaikos and Partizan in the Pavlos Giannakopoulos tournament that was held in Athens this past weekend, Edwards gave everyone a taste of his scoring prowess by dropping 22 and 20 points respectively in the two games. He also seemed to enjoy a great deal of freedom from coach Pablo Laso, who allowed and even encouraged his player to take 3-point shots in transition and lead Bayern’s offense.

Talking to SPORT24, Edwards said the most important thing he learned in his rookie season in the EuroLeague was finding out ways to be efficient.

“I learned where I need to be on offense and defense, to appreciate every possession,” he told Vassiliki Karamouza.

“There are a lot of differences in the way basketball is played here versus the NBA, especially in spacing. I’m still learning though,” he added.

Edwards said that Laso has drawn up some plays specifically for him to take shots. “I just want to help us win. If that is my role this year, I will try to perform to the fullest extent,” he commented. 

Asked to name his most important takeaway from coach Dimitris Itoudis, who guided him at Fener last year, Edwards replied that he “learned from the European game in general.”

“Not just from coach Itoudis, but from the whole staff and my teammates. But I keep learning, it’s a constant process,” he stressed. 

Even though the season hasn’t officially started for Bayern Munich, Edwards has already identified a different approach between Laso and Itoudis. 

“There are differences, yes,” he responded.

“Coach Laso is more communicative. He talks a lot more with me, he tries to teach me and guide me through my mistakes so I don’t repeat them. It’s a different dynamic, I can communicate more with him. That’s good, I enjoy it,” he pointed out. 

Edwards admitted that in the long run, Bayern are eyeing the EuroLeague playoffs and the German league, but also added that the process will be long.

“We have to go day by day, to learn each other first because we are a new team,” he concluded.