Anthony Edwards (basketball): Difference between revisions - Wikipedia

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| caption = Edwards with the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] in 2021

| position = [[Shooting ~~Guard~~guard]]

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* [[Southeastern Conference Men's Basketball Rookie of the Year|SEC Rookie of the Year]] (2020)

* [[McDonald's All-American Game|McDonald's All-American]] ([[2019 McDonald's All-American Boys Game|2019]])

| medal_templates = {{MedalSport | Men's [[basketball]]}}

{{MedalCountry|the {{USA}}}}

{{MedalGold|[[Basketball at the 2024 Summer Olympics – Men's tournament|2024 Paris]]|[[2024 United States men's Olympic basketball team|Team]]}}

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'''Anthony Edwards''' (born August 5, 2001), nicknamed "'''Ant-Man'''" or simply "'''Ant'''",<ref>{{Cite web |title=Anthony Edwards Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/edwaran01.html |access-date=2024-07-02 |website=Basketball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref> is an American professional [[basketball]] player for the [[Minnesota Timberwolves]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA). A [[shooting guard]], he played [[college basketball]] for the [[Georgia Bulldogs basketball|~~University of~~ Georgia Bulldogs]] and was selected with the [[List of first overall NBA draft picks|first overall pick]] by the Timberwolves in the [[2020 NBA draft]]. He was named an All-Star during the 2022–23 and 2023–24 seasons. Edwards also won a gold medal on the [[2024 United States men's Olympic basketball team|2024 U.S. Olympic team]].

Edwards finished his high school career at [[Holy Spirit Preparatory School]] in his hometown of [[Atlanta|Atlanta, Georgia]], where he was rated a consensus five-star [[college recruiting|recruit]] and one of the best players in the 2019 class by major recruiting services. As a senior, he earned [[McDonald's All-American Game|McDonald's All-American]] and [[USA Today All-USA high school basketball team|''USA Today'' All-USA first team]] honors. He committed to play college basketball for Georgia, becoming the highest-rated recruit to do so, and was named [[Southeastern Conference Men's Basketball Rookie of the Year|SEC Freshman of the Year]] after his freshman season with the team.

==Early life==

Edwards spent his early life in [[Oakland City, Atlanta|Oakland City, Atlanta, Georgia]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Krawczynski |first=Jon |date=October 23, 2023 |title=At just 22, all eyes are on Anthony Edwards as two cities stand behind him |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/4947669/2023/10/23/anthony-edwards-minnesota-timberwolves-oakland-city/ |access-date=May 23, 2024 |website=The Athletic}}</ref> When he was three years old, he was given the nickname "Ant-Man" by his father. For much of his childhood, Edwards played [[American football|football]] in the [[running back]], [[quarterback]], and [[cornerback]] positions.<ref name="ROD">{{cite web |last1=O'Donnell |first1=Ricky |title=The origin story of high school basketball's 'Ant-Man' |url=https://www.sbnation.com/college-basketball/2019/1/15/18139281/anthony-edwards-basketball-recruiting-nba-draft |publisher=[[SB Nation]] |access-date=April 25, 2019 |date=January 15, 2019}}</ref> He played youth football for the Atlanta Vikings and became one of the best [[Pop Warner Little Scholars|Pop Warner]] running backs in the country by age 10.<ref name=ROD/><ref name="Jones">{{cite ~~web~~news |last1=Jones |first1=Ryan |title=Anthony Edwards Is Ready For the Next Level |url=https://www.slamonline.com/the-magazine/anthony-edwards-story/ |~~publisher~~newspaper=[[Slam (magazine)|Slam]] |access-date=April 25, 2019 |date=April 12, 2019}}</ref><ref name="Westerholm">{{cite web |last1=Westerholm |first1=Tom |title=Anthony Edwards, No. 4 prospect in 2019, honed toughness, intangibles as a football player |url=https://bluearticles.com/anthony-edwards/ |website=[[The Republican (Springfield, Massachusetts)|The Republican]] |access-date=April 25, 2019 |date=January 21, 2019 |archive-date=May 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513155549/https://bluearticles.com/anthony-edwards/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> Edwards switched his focus to basketball because he "thought it looked more fun" after watching his brothers play the sport. He often played basketball with his brothers at their grandmother's house. Entering ninth grade, he began training with Justin Holland, a former [[college basketball]] player for [[Liberty Flames basketball|Liberty]] and an Atlanta-based basketball trainer.<ref name=ROD/>

==High school career==

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===Recruiting===

By consensus among major recruiting services [[247Sports.com|247Sports]], [[ESPN]], and [[Rivals.com|Rivals]], Edwards was rated a five-star recruit, top-five player, and the top [[shooting guard]] in the 2019 class.<ref name="Rivals">{{cite web |title=Anthony Edwards, 2019 Shooting guard |url=https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2019/anthony-edwards-181409 |publisher=[[Rivals.com|Rivals]] |access-date=April 27, 2019}}</ref><ref name="247Sports">{{cite web |title=Anthony Edwards, Holy Spirit Preparatory School, Shooting Guard |url=https://247sports.com/Player/Anthony-Edwards-45572558/ |publisher=[[247Sports.com|247Sports]] |access-date=April 27, 2019}}</ref><ref name="ESPNr">{{cite web |title=Anthony Edwards |url=~~http~~https://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/228812/anthony-edwards |publisher=[[ESPN]] |access-date=April 27, 2019}}</ref> On February 11, 2019, he committed to play college basketball for [[Georgia Bulldogs men's basketball|Georgia]], becoming the program's best recruit in the modern recruiting era.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Adams |first1=Kipp |title=Where Anthony Edwards ranks among Georgia's all-time recruits |url=https://247sports.com/college/georgia/Article/Georgia-Basketball-Recruiting-Anthony-Edwards-recruiting-rankings-National-Signing-Day-2019-129028577/ |publisher=[[247Sports.com|247Sports]] |access-date=April 27, 2019 |date=February 12, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Borzello |first1=Jeff |title=Guard Anthony Edwards opts to stay at home, commits to Georgia |url=~~http~~https://www.espn.com/college-sports/recruiting/basketball/mens/story/_/id/25971814/guard-anthony-edwards-opts-stay-home-commits-georgia |publisher=[[ESPN]] |access-date=April 27, 2019 |date=February 11, 2019}}</ref> Edwards chose the Bulldogs over offers from [[Florida State Seminoles men's basketball|Florida State]], [[Kansas Jayhawks men's basketball|Kansas]], [[Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball|Kentucky]], and [[North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball|North Carolina]].<ref name=Krohn/> He was drawn to Georgia because two of his favorite players, [[Dwyane Wade]] and [[Victor Oladipo]], had been coached in college by head coach [[Tom Crean (basketball)|Tom Crean]].<ref name="polacek">{{cite web |last1=Polacek |first1=Scott |title=5-Star SG Anthony Edwards Commits to Georgia; Potential No. 1 for 2020 NBA Draft |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2808426-5-star-sg-anthony-edwards-commits-to-georgia-potential-no-1-for-2020-nba-draft |publisher=[[Bleacher Report]] |access-date=November 26, 2019 |date=February 11, 2019}}</ref>

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====2023–24 season: First All-NBA appearance====

Edwards changed his jersey number from #1 to #5 before the 2023–24 season.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Krawczynski |first=Jon |title=Why Anthony Edwards changed his number: The meaning behind the switch to 5 |work=The New York Times |url=https://theathletic.com/4737680/2023/08/01/anthony-edwards-jersey-number-change-reason/ |access-date=May 6, 2024 |language=en}}</ref> On November 13, 2023, he was named the NBA Western Conference Player of the Week for the first time in his career after leading Minnesota to an undefeated week (4–0) with averages of 31.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 2.0 steals.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 13, 2023 |title=Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards, Sixers' Joel Embiid named NBA Players of the Week |url=https://www.nba.com/news/anthony-edwards-joel-embiid-nba-players-of-the-week-3-2023 |access-date=November 14, 2023 |website=NBA.com}}</ref> On January 27, 2024, Edwards recorded 32 points, 6 rebounds and a career-high 12 assists in a 113–112 loss against the [[San Antonio Spurs]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Spurs mascot The Coyote captures bat with net - to the delight of Wembanyama |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401585277 |website=ESPN.com |access-date=January 28, 2024}}</ref> On February 1, Edwards was named to his second [[2024 NBA All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] as ana Western Conference reserve.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2024 NBA All-Star reserves announced |url=https://www.nba.com/news/2024-nba-all-star-reserves-announced |access-date=February 2, 2024 |website=NBA.com |language=en}}</ref> On April 9, Edwards put up a career-high 51 points in a 130–121 win over the [[Washington Wizards]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://clutchpoints.com/timberwolves-news-anthony-edwards-fires-2-word-warning-nuggets-51-point-outburst|title=Timberwolves' Anthony Edwards fires 2-word warning to Nuggets after 51-point outburst|website=ClutchPoints|last=Villas|first=Rexwell|date=April 9, 2024|access-date=April 9, 2024}}</ref> At the season's end, Edwards was named to the [[All-NBA Team|All-NBA Second Team]] for the first time in his career.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/news/2023-24-all-nba-teams-announced|title=Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lead 2023-24 Kia All-NBA 1st Team|website=NBA.com|date=May 22, 2024|access-date=May 23, 2024}}</ref>

In Game 4 of the [[2024 NBA playoffs#(3) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (6) Phoenix Suns|first round of the playoffs]] against Phoenix, Edwards scored 31 of his 40 points in the second half, along with nine rebounds and six assists in a 122–116 win to close out the series. It was the Timberwolves' first playoff series win in 20 years. He also surpassed [[Kevin Garnett]] for the most 30-point playoff games in Timberwolves franchise history, with eight.<ref>{{cite web|title=Timberwolves outlast Suns to finish sweep. Minnesota coach Chris Finch leaves with knee injury|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401655090|website=ESPN.com|date=April 28, 2024|access-date=April 28, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.canishoopus.com/timberwolves-scores-results/2024/4/29/24143739/wolves-vs-suns-final-score-nba-playoffs-game-4-anthony-edwards-karl-anthony-towns-sweep-chris-finch|title=Wolves 122, Suns 116: It's Time to Grab a Broom|website=SB Nation|last=Eichten|first=Ryan|date=April 29, 2024|access-date=April 30, 2024}}</ref> In Game 1 of the [[2024 NBA playoffs#(2) Denver Nuggets vs. (3) Minnesota Timberwolves|Western Conference Semifinals]], Edwards scored a then playoff career-high and franchise postseason-record 43 points in a 106–99 victory over the Nuggets. He joined [[Kobe Bryant]] as the only players with consecutive 40-point games at age 22 or younger in NBA postseason history.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Linn |first1=Joey |title=Anthony Edwards Joins Kobe Bryant on Historic NBA List |url=https://www.si.com/nba/nuggets/anthony-edwards-kobe-bryant-historic-nba-list |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=May 4, 2024 |language=en-us |access-date=May 5, 2024 }}</ref> In Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals, Edwards scored a playoff career-high and franchise postseason-record 44 points, along with five rebounds and five assists, in a 115–107 loss to the Nuggets.<ref>{{cite web|title=Defending champ Nuggets tie Timberwolves with 2nd straight road win, 115-107 in Game 4|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401657185|website=ESPN.com|date=May 12, 2024|access-date=May 12, 2024}}</ref> In Game 4 of the [[2024 NBA playoffs#(3) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (5) Dallas Mavericks|Western Conference Finals]], Edwards posted a near triple-double with 29 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists in a 105–100 victory over the [[Dallas Mavericks]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Towns, Edwards lift Wolves over Mavs 105-100 to avoid sweep in West finals|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401672979|website=ESPN.com|date=May 28, 2024|access-date=May 28, 2024}}</ref> Minnesota would go on to lose to Dallas in five games despite Edwards 28-point, 9-rebound and 6-assist outing in a 124–103 close-out loss in Game 5.<ref>{{cite web|title=Doncic's 36 points spur Mavericks to NBA Finals with 124-103 toppling of Timberwolves in Game 5|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap/_/gameId/401672980|website=ESPN.com|date=May 30, 2024|access-date=June 4, 2024}}</ref>

==National team career==

Edwards was a member of the [[United States men's national basketball team|United States national team]] that competed in the [[2023 United States FIBA Basketball World Cup team|2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup]]. He started all eight games and was selected in the [[FIBA Basketball World Cup All-Tournament Team|All-FIBA World Cup Team]]. He was the leading scorer for the U.S., averaging 18.9 points per game. The team finished in fourth place.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fiba.basketball/basketballworldcup/2023/news/dennis-schroder-named-fiba-basketball-world-cup-2023-tissot-mvp|title=Dennis Schroder named FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 TISSOT MVP|date=September 10, 2023|access-date=September 10, 2023|publisher=FIBA}}</ref> He was named to the [[2024 United States men's Olympic basketball team|2024 Olympic team]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Ben|last=Golliver|title=USA Basketball's gold medal formula: Big stars, bigger centers|date=July 10, 2024|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/2024/07/10/usa-basketball-expectations-lebron-james-stephen-curry-kevin-durant/|access-date=August 9, 2024}}</ref> He helped Team USA win the gold medal, and in six games, he averaged 12.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 58% from the field.<ref>{{cite web|title=Anthony Edwards at the Olympics 2024|url=https://www.fiba.basketball/en/events/mens-olympic-basketball-tournament-paris-2024/teams/usa/347171-anthony-edwards|website=FIBA.basketball|date=August 10, 2024|access-date=August 10, 2024}}</ref>

==Career statistics==

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[[Category:2001 births]]

[[Category:Living people]]

[[Category:2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup players]]▼

[[Category:American men's basketball players]]

[[Category:Basketball players at the 2024 Summer Olympics]]

[[Category:Basketball players from Atlanta]]

[[Category:First overall NBA draft picks]]▼

[[Category:Georgia Bulldogs basketball players]]

[[Category:McDonald's High School All-Americans]]

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[[Category:NBA All-Stars]]

[[Category:Shooting guards]]

▲[[Category:First overall NBA draft picks]]

▲[[Category:2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup players]]

[[Category:United States men's national basketball team players]]▼

[[Category:Therrell High School alumni]]

▲[[Category:United States men's national basketball team players]]

[[Category:Medalists at the 2024 Summer Olympics]]

[[Category:Olympic gold medalists for the United States in basketball]]

[[Category:21st-century American sportsmen]]