Smedley Elementary Gymnasium Renamed for Justin Edwards
Philadelphia 76ers guard Justin Edwards received the honor at his former elementary school last Wednesday.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Basketball
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Smedley Elementary School in northeast Philadelphia officially renamed its gymnasium in honor of NBA player and former student Justin Edwards. Current Philadelphia 76ers teammates attended the unveiling ceremony, which featured a display of his childhood work.
Why it matters
The school administration chose to honor Edwards to recognize his journey from a student at the school to a professional athlete in the NBA. This tribute serves to inspire current students by highlighting the local connection of a high-achieving alumnus.
Justin Edwards signed a three-year contract with the 76ers valued at $7 million. Over his NBA career, he has appeared in 108 games, maintaining a scoring average of 7.7 points per game.
The players
Justin Edwards
He is a Philadelphia 76ers guard who played one season at the University of Kentucky before entering the NBA.
Isaac Hebron
He serves as the assistant principal at Smedley Elementary School in northeast Philadelphia.
Philadelphia 76ers
This professional basketball team competes in the NBA and is based in Philadelphia.
The details
During the unveiling, assistant principal Isaac Hebron read an essay that Edwards had written while in the second grade at the school. The school administration had previously contacted the Philadelphia 76ers guard to inform him of their intention to dedicate the gymnasium in his name.
Timeline
Justin Edwards graduated as a member of the class of 2023.
Edwards played his rookie season in the NBA during 2024-25.
Edwards scored 32 points against the Sacramento Kings in March 2026.
The gymnasium unveiling ceremony occurred on October 7, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The school facility dedication underscores the deepening community ties between the Philadelphia 76ers and local northeast neighborhoods. Such initiatives often serve to cement player standing within the city's sports culture beyond their immediate on-court statistical contributions.
The renaming of the facility does not alter roster rotations or current salary cap figures for the Philadelphia 76ers. However, it confirms the active integration of current team members into the broader Philadelphia civic landscape.
The takeaway
Honoring local graduates who achieve professional success can provide lasting motivation for students within the community. Public recognition of these career paths helps bridge the gap between classroom efforts and future athletic achievements.
Further reading
For more news on local athletes and their community involvement, see Philadelphia Basketball.
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