NBA draft: No. 1 pick Edwards’ motto in life is to keep smiling

When Anthony Edwards was in eighth grade in 2015, he misplaced his mom and grandmother to most cancers in a span of eight months. Raised by his sister and brother, Edwards at all times wears the No. 5 jersey within the reminiscence of his mom and grandmother, who died on the fifth day of the month.

Coming by means of a troublesome childhood, Edwards, nonetheless, remained targeted on his purpose of changing into a prime basketball participant, working as an teacher at various youth camps in Atlanta and gaining important perception into the game.

On Wednesday, Edwards, who turned 19 in August, got here near attaining his goal as he was chosen by Minnesota Timberwolves because the No. 1 choose within the NBA Draft 2020, chosen forward of James Wiseman of Memphis and LaMelo Ball, the pre-draft No. 1.

In their 30-plus years of existence in NBA, the Timberwolves have had the correct to make the primary choose within the annual draft solely twice. In 2015, they picked Karl-Anthony Towns (KAT) and on Wednesday, they selected Edwards, a standout capturing guard from University of Georgia, steering the Atlanta-born teen into NBA limelight.

Since being given the honour in 2015, Karl-Anthony Towns has established himself as a prime participant on the Wolves, that includes within the All Star lineup twice and serving to them make it to the playoffs in 2017-18 season, ending a 13-season streak with out a playoff look — the longest of their historical past.

The Timberwolves hope Edwards will turn into an analogous participant, serving to them qualify for the post-season constantly.

Before the draft, Gersson Rosas, president, basketball operations, Timberwolves had stated they had been on the lookout for gifted gamers who will complement the likes of Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell, whom they acquired from the Golden State Warriors in February this 12 months.

Edwards stated he was prepared for the problem. “I’m feeling very excited just because of the fact I had my mother and my grandmother next to me. I feel like I’m going to fit perfect with those guys because Russell likes to play off the ball sometimes, and I can play on the ball. When he wants to play on the rock, I can play off the ball. And KAT is the best three-point shooting big man in the league. So, I feel we can’t go wrong with that,” Edwards stated throughout a digital press meet from Bristol, Connecticut.

The Timberwolves had been on the lookout for a gentle, hardworking offensive participant who’s mentally robust and works as an understudy to 2 huge stars, however nonetheless maintain his personal place on the courtroom.

The largest star to return out of Georgia in the previous few years, Edwards at 6’ 5” is a robust guard with elite size and explosiveness. He is hard to comprise, particularly in transition, due to a robust first step. He is a three-level scorer who can perform on or off the ball. A succesful shooter along with his toes set, he additionally made 42 pull-up jumpers in 32 video games, repeatedly elevating excessive of defenders with ease. Edwards can splash a pull-up three if the protection goes underneath, stand up in midrange spots or use his energy and explosiveness to get all the best way to the rim in a straight line. He has proven the potential as a facilitator, significantly in open courtroom.

For all his success in basketball, American soccer was his first selection.

Nicknamed ‘Ant Man’ by his father when he was three, younger Edwards was fairly good in working again, quarterback and cornerback positions. When he was 10, Edwards was chosen as the perfect working again in his age group within the nation. However, later he fell in love with basketball as a result of he “thought it looked more fun”.

While he has picked his combating spirit from basketball, Edwards says he received his “motto in life to keep smiling” from his grandmother, who “was a pillar of the family in tough times”. “The biggest life lesson I’ve ever learned (from her) was just smile no matter what. Never get too high, never get too low. Stay here, stay the course, and just smile no matter what’s going on.”

As a younger participant within the mid-level crew, Edwards should financial institution on his psychological energy so as to cement his place in a crew with two established guards. Edwards says he’s as much as the problem. “It doesn’t really matter to me because a lot of people don’t know, I’m 6’5”. I’m 230lb. So, I really feel like I can guard one by means of three. It doesn’t actually matter. I’m robust sufficient to not be pushed round. So, I really feel like I’m okay.”

Many No. 1 picks in NBA drafts, similar to Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James, Tim Duncan, Yao Ming and Dwight Howard, amongst others, have had made it huge in NBA. It’s Edwards’ flip.