It took very little time for Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards to establish himself as a force in the NBA after Minnesota selected him with the first pick of the 2020 draft.
In 2021, he was an All-Rookie selection. By 2023, he was an All-Star and a 24.6-point-per-game scorer on a playoff team.
But it’s Edwards’s quotability that arguably has made him a fan favorite inside and outside the Land of 10,000 Lakes. In 2022, he acted in the Netflix film Hustle, portraying a trash-talking blue-chip prospect.
Whether Edwards needed to act for the role is an open question, as the ex-Georgia standout proved in a United States basketball practice Wednesday ahead of the FIBA World Cup. He was filmed throwing down a vicious dunk while calling out Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr..
“Jump!” Edwards yelled. “Ain’t you Defensive Player of the Year?”
"Jump! Ain't you Defensive Player of the Year?"
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 16, 2023
Anthony Edwards to Jaren Jackson Jr. 😅🔥
(via @usabasketball) pic.twitter.com/9XCHU4W9Hj
The remark drew attention and laughs from fans. Some pointed out the similarity to Hall of Fame guard Michael Jordan’s national team needling from yesteryear.
https://t.co/Ls0z7nva5P pic.twitter.com/D4zhP2x35Q
— 🦦✨America Is Musty✨🦦 (@DragonflyJonez) August 16, 2023
Michael Jordan Jr. really plays for the Wolves https://t.co/Tda1sxQZYa
— Barflaan Tedoe 🇱🇷 (@The_Barftender) August 16, 2023
Others immediately compared Edwards’s real-life behavior to his actions as character Kermit Wilts in Hustle.
Bro wasn’t acting in hustle 😂 https://t.co/00tftkG2ps
— Ryan Johnson (@ay_its_ryan) August 16, 2023
kermit wilts wasn’t a performance. it’s just who he is https://t.co/4OfB8Agjka
— World Market® exile (@NotCigar_) August 16, 2023
Timberwolves fans, meanwhile, could only marvel at the figure leading their team.
The type of leadership this team needs https://t.co/uMdsab02dk
— Midwest Hook 10.5 (@MidwestHook) August 16, 2023
The U.S. is scheduled to open World Cup play on Aug. 26 against New Zealand.
