Stuns Fans as NBA Star Wears Laila Edwards’ Jersey

At a Glance

• A Cleveland Cavaliers forward posted a photo of himself wearing Laila Edwards‘ No. 10 U.S. hockey jersey.
• Edwards, 21, is set to become the first Black female U.S. hockey Olympian at the Milan Cortina Games next month.
• Her family celebrated her homecoming with a fajita night that turned into a viral moment.
• Why it matters: The gesture bridges basketball and hockey, spotlighting diversity in U.S. sports.

A quiet evening of fajitas turned into a headline-making moment for Laila Edwards, a rising star in U.S. women’s hockey. The family-friendly gathering in her childhood colonial home was interrupted by an excited shriek-her longtime teammate and friend Caroline Harvey had just posted a photo of NBA player Larry Nance Jr. wearing Edwards’ No. 10 jersey. The image sparked a wave of cheers from four generations of Edwards family members, all of whom had watched Laila’s journey from a 3-year-old on the ice to a national team defender.

A Fajita Night Surprise

The event took place in the brightly lit, early 20th-century colonial house that Laila grew up in on a quiet, tree-lined street. The family had gathered for a casual celebration of her hockey homecoming. When Caroline’s phone buzzed with the photo, the room erupted. Laila’s face turned a bright pink as she and her friend laughed, the “Oh, my God” reactions echoing through the house. The image showed Nance, a Cleveland native, arriving for an NBA game wearing Edwards’ jersey-an unexpected nod to her hometown.

Laila Edwards: Rising Star

Laila Edwards is a 6-foot-1, 195-pound defender with a rare blend of a hard shot, speed, and deft play-making. She is poised to make her Olympic debut at the Milan Cortina Games next month, becoming the first Black female to represent the U.S. at the Olympics in hockey. A former forward, she earned MVP honors at the 2024 World Championships, where the U.S. lost the gold medal game to Canada.

Her transition to defense was not without challenges. In the 2024 Worlds, she recorded a goal and three assists and helped the team secure gold, but admitted the tournament was not her best. “I didn’t have my best tournament, but we won, and I learned a lot,” she said.

Family and Early Development

Laila’s love for hockey began at age 3, thanks to her father, Robert. Her older brother, Bobby, and sister, Chayla-who also played at Wisconsin-were early influences. By age 11, coaches urged her to play with girls two and three years older, prompting moves to developmental programs like Kearney Selects Academy. Kearney has produced Olympic teammates such as Haley Winn, Kristen Simms, and Ava McNaughton.

Robert reflected on the decision: “The thing that we didn’t expect was to miss her as much as we did, and the loss of not seeing her grow up.” He added, “I don’t regret doing that, but that is something that I feel was not the best part of her going away.”

From Forward to Defender

The switch from forward to defender showcased Edwards’ versatility. U.S. coach John Wroblewski praised her adaptability: “She’s an inspiring person to be around. I think it’s just innate. It’s just Laila. She’s a gamer. She’s the real deal.”

Despite the challenges-growth spurts, skipping graduation for the Under-18 World Championships, and being a Black athlete in a predominantly white sport-Edwards remained resilient. “To get through some of the things you have to get through in this sport, you’ve got to be strong,” she said.

National Team and Olympic Debut

A day after the jersey photo, in November, Edwards hit the ice at the same downtown arena, taking the ceremonial opening face-off and assisting in a 4-1 Rivalry Series win over Canada. The event marked a coming-out party for the player who completed her senior college season at top-ranked Wisconsin.

USA Hockey arranged a four-day visit with practices at a rink she knew from her childhood, offering a chance to reconnect with her family. “The idea of going from a 400-seat rink to the biggest sporting event in the world, it’s like, wow,” Edwards said. “It feels like a full-circle moment to be starting the launch of my Olympic career here in Cleveland with my family.”

Community and Representation

Edwards’ presence in the national team is a powerful statement about representation. She stated, “There’s a lot that goes on in the locker room, outside, coaches, practice, fans. You definitely have to be strong. And I think it’s huge in terms of representation and being a role model.”

Hilary Knight, team captain and face of U.S. women’s hockey, praised Edwards: “Laila is the future of the sport. I think you’re seeing someone who’s coming into her skill set and just scratching the surface.”

Future Outlook

With the Milan Cortina Games approaching, Edwards is preparing to step onto the world stage. Her family remains supportive: “We tell her we love her regardless. You’re not going to be perfect. You’re not always going to win. You’re not always going to be the top scorer,” said Charone Gray-Edwards, Laila’s mother.

Edwards’ story-of early talent, family support, position versatility, and historic Olympic prospects-continues to inspire young athletes, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds. The Lakers-Cleveland jersey photo may have been a simple gesture, but it underscored a larger narrative: sports can unite, celebrate diversity, and propel athletes to new heights.

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Key Takeaways

• Laila Edwards’ jersey moment with Larry Nance Jr. highlights cross-sport camaraderie.
• Edwards is set to break barriers as the first Black female U.S. hockey Olympian.
• Her journey from a 3-year-old to a national team defender showcases resilience and adaptability.
• The family’s support remains central to her success.