Anthony Edwards Receives Telling Message From Jaylen Brown Regarding Team USA

As Team USA prepares for the Olympics in a few weeks, Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards is one to keep an eye on. With so many talented players on the team, it’s hard to judge who should be the best option to score. Anthony Edwards has emerged as Team USA’s best option, a statement apparently saved by Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown.

Jaylen Brown commented on social media on a post by Anthony Edwards that reinforced his belief that Edwards should be the team’s top scoring option at the Olympics. Brown posted “#1 option 100” on a photo of Edwards during Team USA’s practice.

Fresh off a championship and Finals MVP award, Brown recently ran into trouble with Team USA, which passed him over for the roster spot left open by Kawhi Leonard’s departure. Instead, Brown’s Celtics teammate Derrick White was chosen to fill the role.

This is Edwards’ first time competing in an Olympic competition. Last season, Edwards was part of the group that failed to medal at the FIBA ​​Basketball World Cup 2023. Edwards led that team in scoring with 18.9 points. He was also named to the All-FIBA World Cup Team.

In Team USA’s final game this week against Canada in Las Vegas, Edwards came off the bench but led the team with 13 points. He shot 6 of 10 from the field and also finished with three rebounds, an assist and a steal.

Anthony Edwards could use Olympics as springboard for 2024-25 season

As for the 2024-25 NBA season, the Timberwolves appear to be a real Finals contender. They are coming off one of their best seasons in franchise history, which saw them advance to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2004. They ultimately lost to the Dallas Mavericks in five games.

The Wolves lost a key bench player in NBA free agency in Kyle Anderson, but they added a key veteran in Joe Ingles. They also had a solid draft with Rob Dillingham and Terrence Shannon Jr.

But the number one factor that will determine the Wolves’ potential next year is the continued progression of Anthony Edwards. Playing with Team USA in the Olympics will certainly help him develop. He’ll be able to absorb everything he can from the future Hall of Famers alongside him.

Last season, Edwards was named to his second consecutive All-Star Game. He played in 79 games, playing just over 35 minutes per game. He averaged 25.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.3 steals on shooting percentages of 46.1 percent from the field, 35.7 percent from three-point range and 83.6 percent from the free throw line.

Edwards was the Wolves’ first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. He finished second in Rookie of the Year voting during the 2020-21 season. He has improved every year since he’s been in the league, and it seems like it’s only a matter of time before he’s firmly in the conversation for the NBA’s best player.