Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards plays on a roster loaded with veterans and stars, but he considers himself a key player for the U.S. national team as it prepares for its trip to the Paris Olympics.
“I'm still the first choice. You guys might look at it differently,” Edwards said. The Washington Post Ben Golliver. “I just go out there and be myself. Make some shots and play defense. They've got to fit and play around me. That's how I feel.”
The U.S. national team features many star players, including LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard and Joel Embiid, but Edwards, who is coming off the best season of his career, believes he is the player the team will count on first.
Edwards averaged 25.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game last season and led the Timberwolves to the Western Conference finals after averaging 27.5 points per game in the playoffs, including three games with 40 or more points.
Given his performance this season, it's fair to say Edwards' confidence is growing.
But the rising star is also the youngest member of the team at just 22 years old, and will need to continue to earn the respect of veterans like James and Stephen Curry before he can be considered a true No. 1 contender for the team.
Whoever the U.S. national team selects as their first choice will likely be hoping that player leads the team to a gold medal.
The U.S. team will begin its quest for the gold medal on July 28 when it faces Nikola Jokic and his Serbian team.
Despite winning gold at the 2020 Olympics, the U.S. team had a disappointing fourth-place finish at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. With many NBA stars committed to the Paris Olympics, the U.S. team should be able to bounce back with a strong performance later this month.
