Watch: WVU Interim Josh Eilert Surprises Jesse Edwards in Latvia

WVU interim HC Josh Eilert made the trip over to Latvia to support Mountaineer big man Jesse Edwards, who is representing The Netherlands in FIBA play this month. In a video posted by the basketball team, Eilert surprised Edwards on Thursday night.

SURPRISE FROM LATVIA 👀@josheilert couldn’t miss his chance to see @jesseedwards_14 play for The Netherlands! 🇳🇱#HailWV pic.twitter.com/NwhNpllOUg

— WVU Men's Basketball (@WVUhoops) August 3, 2023

“Man… real special moment. Thanks coach! Country roads all the way,” Edwards wrote on Instagram.

Edwards and The Netherlands are playing a friendly against Israel on Friday at 11:30 a.m. EST. Click here for the YouTube live stream of the game.

Edwards averaged 14.5 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.7 blocks on 59 percent shooting from the field during his senior year at Syracuse. Edwards was named to the All-ACC Third Team this past season. Edwards has started for the Orange in the past two years. Edwards played seven minutes against West Virginia in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament. Edwards has one year of eligibility remaining.

Edwards has been regarded as one of the best transfers in the portal this offseason, seeing top 10 and top five rankings depending on which site you use. Edwards entered the portal on April 11 and cut his list down to WVU, Gonzaga and Kansas within days. Edwards’ visit to West Virginia was the only one scheduled during his recruitment. Edwards committed to WVU on April 16.

Following Bob Huggins’ resignation in June, the ability to retain Edwards was in question. The big man committed to Eilert and the coaching staff once again and did not re-enter the transfer portal.

“Goin’ nowhere. Time to make this a special year. Let’s go to work for this staff, this team and this place. Let’s go WV,” Edwards wrote on Twitter on July 2.