Joshua Smith Starting Strong !

Joshua Smith Setting the Standard at Edgewood 96ers Preseason Workouts

EDGEWOOD 96ERS | 2026–27 PRESEASON

The road to the 2026–27 season is officially underway for the Edgewood 96ers, and after two weekends of conditioning and workouts, one player has consistently stood out: Joshua Smith.

The 96ers have welcomed approximately 12 players into preseason workouts so far, with a strong combination of returning players and new talent competing for opportunities. The energy has been high, the workouts have been demanding, and the competition is beginning to reveal what this year’s team could become.

Through it all, Joshua Smith has been setting the tone.

Leading by Example

Smith’s performance throughout the early workouts has demonstrated the qualities the Edgewood 96ers are looking for as the organization builds its roster: energy, intensity, athleticism, consistency, and hunger.

Preseason workouts aren’t simply about making shots or producing highlight plays. They’re an opportunity for players to demonstrate their conditioning, work ethic, coachability, commitment, and ability to compete when they’re tired.

Joshua has embraced that challenge.

His performance has made him an early workout standout as the 96ers continue evaluating players and preparing for the upcoming season.

Great players don’t just show up—they show out.

Returning 96ers Helping Build the Culture

Joshua isn’t working alone.

The preseason has also featured consistent participation from returning Edgewood 96ers players, including Odarius Cade, Jonathan Johnson II, and Leonard Williams, among others.

Having returning players back in the gym is important as the organization continues building the culture and expectations established within the program.

For the Edgewood 96ers, that standard can be summed up in two phrases:

Championship Culture.

Built Not Bought.

Recruiting Continues

While the preseason roster is beginning to take shape, the Edgewood 96ers are still recruiting.

The organization expects to continue evaluating potential players through September before moving toward final roster decisions.

Players interested in becoming a 96er should understand that earning a roster position requires more than talent. The organization is looking for players who are prepared to compete, commit, travel, work, and represent the Edgewood 96ers professionally throughout the season.

The workouts ahead will continue to provide opportunities for players to separate themselves.

October 17: The Journey Begins

Everything happening now is building toward one date:

October 17, 2026.

The Edgewood 96ers will open their 2026–27 season on the road in High Point, North Carolina.

Between now and opening night, the work continues.

More conditioning. More competition. More evaluation. More preparation.

And if the first two weekends are any indication, Joshua Smith has made one thing clear:

He’s ready to compete.

Stay connected with the Edgewood 96ers throughout preseason for recruiting updates, player spotlights, roster announcements, tickets, merchandise, and information about the upcoming 2026–27 season.

EDGEWOOD 96ERS

CHAMPIONSHIP CULTURE.

BUILT NOT BOUGHT.