With 13 points as 6th man, Anthony Edwards finished as Team USA's top scorer in the win over Canada. A superstar in the making, considered by some to be the future face of the NBA, the Wolves guard is the youngest player on the roster. At 22, he is 17 years younger than LeBron James, and naturally, it makes one a little nervous to be surrounded by legends in the United States jersey.
“I was really nervous, and I’m not going to lie,” Edwards confirms. I told LeBron I've never been nervous like that. This is my first time in the Olympics. I was really nervous. I don't know what made me nervous. I just was.”
A year ago, Edwards was preparing to compete in the World Cup with Team USA, but this time, the cast is different, and so is the competition. There's nothing like the Olympics.
Just himself
” It is an honour for me “, Edwards continues. “I remember seeing these guys [Durant, Curry et James] playing against each other in the final. I was in front of my television cheering them on. And now I'm here with them. It's an honour for me. I'm just happy to be here.”
This discovery of prestigious teammates did not slow down his ambitions or his frankness. “I remain option number 1” he said at the start of the internship. “Maybe people see it differently, but not me. I'm going to be myself. I'm going to take my shots, defend and they're going to have to adapt to me.”
Some might see it as arrogance, but Bam Adebayo assures that it is just confidence. “He is completely himself”estimates the Heat pivot. “He’s not going to change. He’s going to be the same person every day, on and off the pitch. You see it on TV, when some journalists turn things into viral moments. It’s like those moments really represent you. That’s one of the things I love about Ant. He’s himself. He’s not going to change. He’s one of those people who can say something crazy, like he did last time, but he’s just himself.”
He dreams of playing with his role model, Kevin Durant
Devin Booker is of the same opinion. “I'm glad nobody took that away from him… I hope he continues to be like that. I think it's good for basketball.”
Edwards' role model, Kevin Durant, is equally impressed. “It's great to be around him. He's like a sponge. He's already got a lot of knowledge, and he fits in perfectly. I can't wait to get on the court with him.”
A shared impatience since Edwards has always dreamed of playing with his idol. “I have butterflies in my stomach waiting for this to happen… Because I’m ready to see the KD of the Olympics!”
