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“I played for the national team for two weeks – four games – and then I had my wedding before I flew out,” Edwards said.

“It was the most I’ve ever done in such a short time, but it was a lot of fun.

“It was a short engagement, six or seven weeks.

“I wanted to propose for a while but, after that, the wedding was going to be pretty fast, regardless, and wherever I was going to go, it was going to be handy for us to have a visa together.

“So, for that reason only, it was going to be pretty fast, but we saw it like this would be the wedding, and then we would make a big party, a big event in two years or something – this was just 10 to 15 people. It was really small, but really good.

“She [Quirine] had some ideas but was humble about having the early one and then do a nice celebration.”

Melbourne United has helped prepare the likes of Jock Landale, Ariel Hukporti, Jack White and Luke Travers for the NBA, and it was a major selling point for Edwards to join the team.

“It was special to step out there on court. It feels like you are in a video game, feels like you are on the TV. It’s special.”

Jesse Edwards on playing in the NBA.

He spent last season on a two-way contract with the NBA’s Timberwolves, playing in the G-League for Iowa for most of the campaign before appearing in two games for Minnesota.

Australian rookie centre Rocco Zikarsky is now a two-way player with the Wolves and the pair compared notes on the NBL while training together during the off-season.

Edwards is still glowing about becoming the third Dutch player last season to make his NBA debut, but now he wants a full-time roster spot.

“Even the practice games before the season, you have these butterflies in your stomach,” he explained.

“The NBA is what you have seen the most as a kid, and that stays with you. It’s a little different from anywhere else you play.

“It was special to step out there on court. It feels like you are in a video game, feels like you are on the TV. It’s special.”

Edwards could have sought more lucrative offers back in Europe, where he can play as a local player as opposed to being an import in the NBL, but he chose Melbourne and doesn’t regret it.

Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman is excited about what Edwards could become.

“There’s levels to his game that we can keep adding to – he’s not a guy that’s a finished product, he’s still got this big upside,” Vickerman told NBL Media.

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Now Edwards wants to use his Australian summer as a path to back to the US, so he’s working hard on his physicality, rebounding, defensive work and shooting.

“It is the goal,” Edwards said of an NBA return.

“Wherever I’m at, I will focus on the team right here, but that is the goal long-term – to get back to the league, to improve, to show my value and jump back over there, but I’m really happy to be here.

“It’s not like I’m waiting to get out of here.”

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