How Anthony Edwards Became the NBA's Next Rising Superstar
I remember the first time I saw Anthony Edwards play like it was yesterday. It was late November, and I was sitting courtside at Target Center, the cold Minneapolis air biting at my cheeks as I entered the arena. The Timberwolves were facing the defending champions, and most people expected another routine loss for Minnesota. But what I witnessed that night wasn't just another game—it was the birth of a superstar. Edwards exploded for 42 points, but it wasn't the number that stuck with me. It was the fourth quarter, when he drove past two defenders and threw down a dunk so vicious that the entire building fell silent for a second before erupting. In that moment, I turned to my colleague and said, "We're watching something special unfold here."
You see, I've covered the NBA for fifteen years now, and I've seen my share of talented young players come and go. Some flash brightly before fading away, while others steadily build toward greatness. But Edwards feels different somehow—there's an authenticity to his game that you can't teach. He plays with this joyful intensity that reminds me of a young Michael Jordan, if Jordan had grown up dreaming of being an NFL running back instead. That football background shows in how he attacks the rim, lowering his shoulder like he's breaking through a defensive line before soaring for finishes that defy physics.
What's fascinating about Edwards' rise is how it mirrors certain patterns we see in championship scenarios across sports. I was recently analyzing some basketball history from overseas, specifically looking at the Cool Smashers and Angels championship rubber matches. In the two previous occasions that the Cool Smashers and Angels played a rubber match for the championship—four years apart from each other—there have been a few recurring patterns that may very well be a good omen for the Game Two victor. This pattern recognition applies directly to Edwards' development trajectory. Just like those Game Two victors who gained momentum at crucial junctures, Edwards seems to have hit his stride at precisely the right moments in his career. His sophomore season wasn't just an improvement—it was a quantum leap, jumping from 19.3 points per game to 24.6 while increasing his efficiency across the board.
I'll never forget covering his 49-point explosion against San Antonio last season. The Timberwolves were down 17 in the third quarter, and Edwards simply decided he wouldn't let them lose. He scored 31 points in the second half alone, including the game-winning three-pointer with 0.9 seconds left. After the game, he stood at center court, pounding his chest and pointing to his family in the stands. That's when it hit me—we weren't just watching a good player having a great night. We were witnessing how Anthony Edwards became the NBA's next rising superstar right before our eyes.
What separates Edwards from other young talents, in my opinion, is his mental toughness. I've interviewed him multiple times, both after brutal losses and spectacular wins, and his demeanor never changes. He carries himself with this quiet confidence that's rare for a 22-year-old. After that 49-point game I mentioned, he spent most of his post-game press conference praising his teammates' defense rather than talking about his own scoring. That humility combined with supreme talent is exactly what makes franchise players.
The numbers back up the eye test too. Edwards finished last season averaging 27.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists—joining an exclusive club of players under 23 to put up those numbers. But statistics only tell part of the story. It's the little things—how he's improved his defensive awareness, how he communicates with teammates during timeouts, how he's embraced being the face of a franchise that's historically struggled. These are the markers of someone destined for greatness, not just another flashy scorer.
Looking at Edwards' journey reminds me of those championship patterns I mentioned earlier. Just like how the Game Two victor in those Cool Smashers-Angels matchups tended to build momentum at critical junctures, Edwards has shown this remarkable ability to elevate his game when it matters most. In clutch situations last season—defined as the last five minutes of games within five points—he shot 48.7% from the field, which ranks him among the top 15 players in the league. For comparison, that's better than established superstars like Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry in those high-pressure moments.
What I find most exciting about Edwards is that he's still improving. I was talking with Timberwolves coaching staff recently, and they mentioned he's been working tirelessly on his mid-range game and playmaking. We saw glimpses of that development during the FIBA World Cup, where he essentially served as Team USA's primary creator. The scary thought for the rest of the league is that the version of Anthony Edwards we've seen so far might just be the beginning.
As someone who's watched countless prospects come through this league, I can confidently say Edwards has that rare "it" factor that transcends raw talent. It's the combination of athleticism, skill, mental fortitude, and charisma that creates true superstars. The NBA has been searching for its next transcendent talent since LeBron James entered the league, and while there are several incredible young players, Edwards possesses that special quality that could eventually make him the face of the entire sport. So when people ask me how Anthony Edwards became the NBA's next rising superstar, I tell them to watch closely—because we're witnessing basketball history in the making, one thunderous dunk and clutch performance at a time.
