Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards doesn’t lack confidence, for a good reason. His numbers have placed him among some of the best to play the game through two seasons, and he seems just to be getting started.
In December 2021, he became just the seventh player in NBA history to score 2,000 points in his first 100 games at age 20 or younger, joining LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Luka Dončić, and Zion Williamson. He’s also the youngest player in NBA history to hit 10 three-pointers in a game and joined James, Dončić, and Blake Griffin as the only active players with at least 2,000 points, 400 rebounds, and 300 assists in their first 100 games.
Whether on the court or starring in the movie Hustle alongside Juancho Hernangomez, Ant-Man has the confidence and ability to do it all. Edwards spoke with Complex to discuss his short-term goals and where he views himself among the NBA’s best, and his confidence is clearly through the roof.
Edwards gave himself a year when asked how much time he’ll need to be considered one of the League’s elite players.
“I need another year,” Edwards said. “After this year, I think I’ll be in the (best player) conversation.”
Edwards also said he expects to take the Timberwolves deep into the playoffs while becoming an All-Star starter with improved averages. He averaged 21.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 steals per game on 44.1 percent shooting last season. If those numbers all improve, Edwards’ confident prediction for himself could see reality.
The topic of the new “face” of the NBA came up in the conversation, and with stars like LeBron and KD getting older, Edwards feels he can become the League’s future cornerstone.
“Oh yeah, 100 percent. Sure,” Edwards said when asked if he could become the new face of the League. “I mean, it comes with time, and it comes with work and dedication. I feel like I got all three of those things, and I feel like it’s going to take me over the top.”
Edwards didn’t just keep it to basketball, though. It could be bowling, baseball, you name it; he went on to say that “I’m the most confident person in the world. I feel like I’m the best at every sport right now.”
Ant-Man is one of the game’s most exciting players after just two seasons in the League. His performance in the first round of the playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies (25.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game) only solidified him as one of the NBA’s future stars. His confidence has steered him in the right direction, which makes for an exciting and promising year three in Minnesota.
Photos via Getty Images.
