anthony edwards

Ananth Pandian

Losing in an overtime thriller in the bronze medal game, Anthony Edwards and Team USA finished fourth overall in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.

Edwards finished the tournament as USA's top scorer and was instrumental in their overall success.

In USA's final World Cup game against Canada, Edwards scored a team-high 24 points and finished with five rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block.

Here’s everything you need to know about Edwards in the 2023 World Cup, including Team USA results and a breakdown of how the All-Star guard played throughout the international tournament.

Team USA in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023:

In the World Cup, Anthony Edwards and Team USA finished fourth overall and  qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

How did Anthony Edwards play for Team USA:

Starting with exhibition play, Edwards started in every game for Team USA and emerged as one of the team's best two-way players.

In the World Cup, Edwards lead Team USA in scoring with 18.9 points (FG: 47.5%, 3PT: 31.1%, FT: 70%) and was named to the All-Star Five team. He also averaged 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and a 1.1 steals in 26 minutes a game.

Here are more complete Team USA stats for Edwards:

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Anthony Edwards, Team USA at FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023: TV schedule, scores & more

The Minnesota Timberwolves were well represented at the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023.&nbsp;

Tied with the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Wolves had an NBA-high six players playing in the World Cup: Anthony Edwards (USA), Karl-Anthony Towns (Dominican Republic), Rudy Gobert (France), Kyle Anderson (China), Nickeil Alexander-Walker (Canada) and Matteo Spagnolo (Italy).&nbsp;

Want to know how all six of the Wolves played in the World Cup? Here’s everything you need to know.

Taking place from Aug. 25 through Sept. 10, the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 is essentially a qualifying tournament for the 2024 Paris Olympics.&nbsp;&nbsp;

There are 32 teams playing in the tournament: 12 from Europe, eight from Asia and Oceania, seven from the Americas and five from Africa. Those 32 teams are divided into eight groups of four for the First Round.&nbsp;

The winner of the tournament becomes the World Cup champion and will receive a gold medal. Silver (2nd place) and bronze (3rd place) medals will also be awarded.&nbsp;

The top seven teams by region will secure a berth for the Olympics: one team from Africa, two teams from the Americas, one team from Asia, two teams from Europe and one team from Oceania.&nbsp;&nbsp;

France has an automatic Olympic bid for 2024 because they are the host team. The other four remaining Olympic berths will be determined by Olympic qualifying tournaments in 2024.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

In the World Cup, Anthony Edwards and Team USA advanced all the way to the bronze medal game and qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics. USA however, lost 127-118 in overtime to Canada and finished fourth overall in the World Cup.

Read more about Edwards and Team USA here. 

In the World Cup, Edwards lead Team USA in scoring with 18.9 points (FG: 47.5%, 3PT: 31.1%, FT: 70%). He also averaged 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists and a 1.1 steals in 26 minutes a game.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the World Cup: 

Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Canada finished third in the World Cup and qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

By beating USA to claim bronze, Canada won their first-ever FIBA medal in the country's history. This was also Canada's first international medal in basketball since their silver medal finish in the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

In the World Cup, Alexander-Walker averaged 9.4 points (FG: 39.7%, 3PT: 38.5%), 2 rebounds, 2.1 assists and a steal in 21.9 minutes a game. Alexander-Walker also hit a total of 20 threes, which was the most by any bench player in the World Cup.

Karl-Anthony Towns and the Dominican Republic went undefeated in the First Round of the World Cup but went 0-2 in the Second Round, which knocked them out of the tournament.

For the World Cup, Towns averaged 24.4 points (FG: 45.5%, 3PT: 39.4%), 8 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 29.6 minutes a game.

Here are the final results for Towns and the Dominican Republic in the World Cup:

Rudy Gobert and France closed out the World Cup with two wins in the Classification Round to finish 3-2 overall.

In the World Cup, Gobert averaged 10.8 points (FG: 66.7%), 8.3 rebounds, 1.3 assists, one steal and 1.8 blocks in 23.9 minutes a game.

Here are the final results for Gobert and France in the World Cup:

Eligible for Chinese citizenship through his maternal great-grandfather, Kyle Anderson obtained Chinese nationality in July and represented China for the first time in the 2023 World Cup. His Chinese name of Li Kaier was featured on the back of his jersey.

In the World Cup, Anderson averaged 13 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists and a steal in 32.1 minutes. Anderson and China finished the World Cup with a record of 1-4.

Here are the final results for Anderson and China in the World Cup:

Picked 50th overall by the Timberwolves in the 2022 NBA Draft, Matteo Spagnolo is the third-youngest player to play for Italy’s senior team.

Italy made it to the Quarter Finals of the World Cup but lost to Edwards and Team USA. They ended up finishing eighth overall.

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Timberwolves at FIBA World Cup 2023: schedule, updated scores & more 

Like all dogs, Ant Jr. is a good dog.&nbsp;&nbsp;

He’s a constant presence in Anthony Edwards’ life. An instant mood booster and unwaveringly loyal.&nbsp;

“[Ant Jr.’s] my best friend, he’s always there for me,” Edwards said, via ESPN. “If I have a bad game, I go home and he’s going to be the same person no matter what.”&nbsp;

Edwards isn’t being facetious. Ant Jr. truly means that much to him.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Ant Jr. is frequently in Edwards’ Instagram posts and is often shouted out by his father in interviews. He's even been on commercial shoots with Edwards and tagged along to work outs at the team’s practice facility.&nbsp;

There is one place, however, that Ant Jr. has not yet accompanied Edwards to — a Wolves game.&nbsp;

“I want to bring him to a game, but if he sees his pops running up and down the court, he ain’t gonna be able to hold it together,” Edwards said, via the NBA. “He’s gonna come on the court.”&nbsp;

Ant Jr. running out on the court during a game would no doubt be adorable. But NBA officials likely wouldn’t be too happy about a dog-related stoppage.&nbsp;&nbsp;

So how else could Ant Jr. see his dad hoop without actually being at the game? Enter the Anthony Edwards and Ant Jr. bobblehead.&nbsp;

“After seeing Ant Jr. star alongside Ant in his Aura commercial, we knew we had to celebrate their relationship, “ said Timberwolves and Lynx Chief Marketing Officer Mike Grahl about the bobblehead. “So, when we were creating this bobblehead, it was a no-brainer to include (Ant) man’s best friend.”&nbsp;

Working with BDA Sports, the Timberwolves marketing department began the process of designing the Ant and Ant Jr. bobblehead in August 2022. They provided numerous photos of both Edwards and Ant Jr. to BDA Sports, which helped the sports merchandising company start the first step of sketching the duo together.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Wanting it to be true to both Edwards and Ant Jr., the Timberwolves marketing department and BDA Sports went through a few different variations as they worked together to perfect the details. For example, Edwards’ hair had to be switched up after he got it cut at the start of the season.&nbsp;

After the drawing reached a good place, BDA Sports began to hand sculpt a clay model of the bobblehead.

The clay model was then fine tuned as details like the texture of Ant Jr.’s fur had to be adjusted.&nbsp;

The next step for BDA Sports was to start painting the finalized clay model. As with previous steps, paint colors had to be adjusted throughout the process so the bobblehead looked as close as possible to how Ant and Ant Jr. actually look.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Months after the process started, the bobblehead’s look and design was finalized in November 2022. BDA Sports could now make a mold of the bobblehead and start mass producing it.&nbsp;

The final result will be given out to all fans before Wednesday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks. It’s a fitting tribute to a man and his dog. 

“He just wants to be around me,” Edwards said, via GQ. “I love him.”&nbsp;

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Here's how the Anthony Edwards and Ant Jr. bobblehead got made

Thanks to Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards, the lives of John Maro and Preston Hampton are now a little bit brighter.

Maro's story begins in January. He was playing in a basketball game for St. James in New Jersey, when all of sudden, he collapsed.

First responders were able to resuscitate him and Maro was quickly rushed to a local hospital. He has since recovered and is now back in school.

St. James is Towns' alma mater, which is why Wolves Season Members, Tom and Deb Taylor, reached out to Maro's family after hearing about his story through business associates. The Taylors then worked with the team and helped set up a meet-and-greet between Towns and Maro after the Wolves played the Nets on March 10.

Thanks to Towns, Maro also got to meet NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who was at the game.

Anthony Edwards meets 15-year-old cancer survivor, gives shoes & signed jersey

Like Maro, Preston Hampton also has a similar story of perseverance and resilience.

Hampton is a 15-year-old cancer survivor and it was his dream to meet one of his favorite players, Anthony Edwards.

The Dream Connection, which "provides once in a lifetime dreams for kids fighting life-threatening or chronically debilitating illnesses," helped Hampton's dream come true after the Wolves' victory over the Hawks in Atlanta on Monday.

Edwards spent some time with Hampton and his family, signed his Wolves jersey and gave him his game-worn shoes.

"Such an amazing night," said Hampton's mom Christina wrote on Instagram. "Thank you @theanthonyedwards_ for showing my boy love! We are so thankful for your time and kindness!"

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Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards greet teens with incredible stories

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When the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the odds in the Draft Lottery to secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 Draft, one question was posed most often: Would the Wolves be drafting for organizational fit or best overall talent?

With the selection of 6-5, 225 lb. guard Anthony Edwards from the University of Georgia, President of Basketball Operations Gersson Rosas believes he answered both questions. In Edwards, Minnesota gains an elite scorer and explosive athlete while also adding wing depth to complement cornerstones D'Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns. 

"To be fair, fit didn't come into play," Rosas admitted to media following the Draft. "It was a pure talent evaluation. We looked at the other guys there, and they also could've fit with us. Fit helps in the long-term, but in the short-term, it's just about evaluating the best talent.

"We're fortunate that [Edwards] ended up being a guy that is a wing, but for us, it's just the full talent evaluation perspective."

One of the youngest prospects in the Draft, Edwards just recently turned 19 in August. The Atlanta native reclassified in November 2018 to enroll at Georgia a year early. Rosas is confident that Edwards' maturation on and off the court is accelerated surrounded by the culture that is being built in the Twin Cities. 

"He's got a lot of character, he's been through a lot in his life," said Rosas. "I love his grit; I love his toughness. I love that he has a chip on his shoulder. Does he have everything figured out right now? No. But the passion for being the best person he can be, his passion for the game, who he wants to become is something we're excited about."

The feeling of exuberance was mutual for Edwards. The Georgia Bulldog was sold on Minnesota following the Front Office's pitch in the pre-Draft interview process. 

"The first time they met with me, they had everything mapped out," Edwards told media over a Zoom call. "They had a game plan and everything for me... They love to compete. They love players who come and compete. They love players who leave it all on the court. They want you to come in there and just be ready.

"I feel like I'm one of those players, and I'm just ready to work."

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Rosas Gets His Man In Anthony Edwards

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Latest Mock Drafts: The End Of October

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**DISCLAIMER: The following is an aggregate of player analysis from various media outlets and does not reflect the views of the Minnesota Timberwolves.**

Anthony Edwards is an explosive offensive player who showed the ability to light up the scoreboard with his combination of strength, athleticism, and shooting ability during his freshman season at Georgia.  An early bloomer who was widely regarded as one of the top prospects in the high school class of 2020 through his mid-teens, Edwards opted to reclassify to the class of 2019 ahead of what would have been his junior year at Holy Spirit Preparatory School (GA).  Capping his prep career with McDonald’s and Jordan Brand All-American honors, Edwards was considered the top guard prospect in the country when he committed to play for Tom Crean’s Georgia Bulldogs.

The Atlanta native delivered on those lofty expectations finishing third in the SEC in scoring averaging 19.1 points per game, taking home All-Conference 2nd Team and Freshman of the Year accolades, and putting together some of the season’s most memorable individual scoring performances.

ESPN/Draft Express (click to read full analysis):

The Ringer (click to read full analysis):

NBADraft.net (click to read full analysis):

Shows a good feel for the game and competitiveness … Good size and length for position with a 6’9 wingspan and 8’4 standing reach … Uses his strength well and should be able to add additional strength … Finishes well with contact and can bully smaller guards … High-level athleticism, good body control, and hang time … Has a quick first step … Gets to the rim and throws down dunks in traffic … Gets going down hill with a dribble drive and finishes well with either hand … Natural scoring ability … Shoots well from three and can shoot from NBA range … Needs just a little bit of space to get his shot off … Adept ballhandler and drives with either hand … Keeps his head up and has good court vision … Reads double teams well … Passes out of drives … Good rebounder for his position … Good tools and athleticism defensively …  Blocks shots well for a guard … Makes the game look easy … Good competitor and doesn’t lack for confidence … -- Evan Tomes

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2020 NBA Draft Profile: Anthony Edwards

2020-nba-draft-prospect-anthony-edwards

2020 NBA Draft Prospect: Anthony Edwards

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