Anthony Edwards Says Other Team USA Stars Will Have to Play Around Him

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Anthony Edwards, Team USA
Credit: Photo via Duke Basketball (@BlueDevils - X)

Anthony Edwards spent this past season ascending into one of the best players in the NBA. He helped the Minnesota Timberwolves have one of their most successful seasons of all time and made a strong case to take the baton from LeBron James as the next generation’s basketball icon.

But now it’s the offseason, and Ant’s already back in the lab, working on his skills. We’re not talking about making more Ant babies. Of course, nobody would be surprised if he’s been doing some work in that department too. This time, though, we’re talking basketball. And Edwards isn’t out here prepping for another Wolves season this time.

Nope, this week, Edwards is getting ready to help the USA Basketball team win Olympic gold in Paris later this summer. And in 2024, Team USA is stacked with the best of the best American basketball players available.

Anthony Edwards says Team USA has to ‘fit around’ his game

Despite the superstar cast around him, Edwards made it clear today that confidence will not be an issue. The 22-year-old 1st time All-NBA guard told reporters Sunday that he is the best player on the 2024 Team USA roster. So just in case you were wondering, he is approaching this next week as if he will have a starring (not just starting) role later this month in Paris.

Edwards: “I’m still the number one option [on this team too]. Y’all might look at it differently, but I don’t look at it no differently.”

Reporter: ‘But how do you go about integrating yourself amongst so much talent?’

Edwards: “Hey, I just go out there and be myself, shoot my shots, play defense and, you know, they gotta fit in and play around me.”

How can you not love this kid’s confidence? He may not have nearly the same list of accomplishments or accolades as his peers, but he outranks anyone and everyone in that department. And Edwards should feel good about his game right now. He has a chance to prove he is one of the best players in the world and he is ready to take advantage of such an opportunity.

Never doubt the confidence of Minnesota Timberwolves superstar, Anthony Edwards

Now, said opportunity will not be easy to take advantage of. If he can prove to Kerr that he deserves a starting job, that’s only the first step. From there, Ant would have to lead Team USA through the most dangerous international field ever presented during Olympic competition. Top basketball talent is no longer restricted to America and it shows.

If Ant can learn even more about the team aspects of playing basketball, doing what it takes to win no matter what, his Olympic experience can be a very positive one. For Wolves fans, getting to see the franchise player take center stage while millions of spectators are tuning in will be a special moment too.

Related: Former Minnesota Gopher Named to Timberwolves Summer League Roster

Now, it’s just up to Ant to run away with the gold medal while putting on what’s expected to be a dazzling display. Does this sound like a player who plans on doing anything other than taking the world by storm?

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