At just 23 years old, Anthony Edwards already has a long basketball history. He’s been selected to the All-Rookie Team, played in the All-Star Game twice, been to the All-NBA Team, and recently won an Olympic gold medal. Is Edwards already the best shooting guard in the NBA?
HoopsHype thinks so.
Edwards came in at No. 1 in the recent HoopsHype rankings rankings Edwards is a top-30 shooting guard in the NBA. He won the gold medal with Team USA and had his best NBA season to date, earning All-NBA honors after averaging career-highs in points (25.9), assists (5.1), field goal percentage (46.1%) and free throw percentage (83.6%). Edwards also averaged 5.4 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game last season as he led the Timberwolves to the Western Conference Finals.
“Overall, Edwards is a spectacular player, a three-level scorer with incredible athleticism and length who plays with a tough mentality, and has an old-school flair to his game in that he will let an opponent know when he lights them up, and he will do it loudly,” wrote Frank Urbina of HoopsHype.
Edwards changed the trajectory of the Timberwolves, whose appearance in this year’s Western Conference Finals was their first in 20 years. He quickly became one of the NBA’s most popular players as a dynamic, scoring guard who regularly drew comparisons to Michael Jordan.
Edwards came in ahead of Team USA teammate Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns, who was ranked No. 2. Cleveland Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell came in at No. 3; NBA Finals MVP Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics came in at No. 4; and OKC Thunder guard Jalen Williams rounded out the top five.
Edwards will be looking to take the next step for the Timberwolves this season after winning gold this summer. He said after the Western Conference Finals that the Wolves now know what it takes to reach the top level and will be back next season. Edwards will be leading that charge.
Edwards and the Timberwolves will begin their return to the playoffs by opening their regular season against the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 22 in a game that will be nationally televised on TNT. The season opener is scheduled to kick off at 9:30 p.m. at Cypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
