Anthony Edwards (Basketball Player)
Who Is Anthony Edwards?
Anthony DeVante Edwards, nicknamed “Ant-Man” or simply “Ant,” is an American professional basketball player who plays as a shooting guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA.
He is a four-time NBA All-Star, a two-time All-NBA Second Team selection, and won a gold medal as part of the 2024 U.S. Olympic team. Furthermore, with a staggering net worth estimated at $45 million and a five-year, $244.6 million contract extension, Edwards has transcended his status as a former first overall draft pick to become an international sporting icon.
At just 24 years old, Anthony Edwards is already the face of a franchise. Many believe he is the future face of the entire NBA.
Early Life: From Oakland City to the Spotlight
Growing Up in Atlanta, Georgia
Anthony Edwards was born on August 5, 2001, in Atlanta, Georgia. He grew up in Oakland City, a neighborhood on Atlanta’s west side, in a challenging urban environment.
His father, Roger Caruth, gave Edwards the nickname “Ant-Man” when the basketball star was just three years old. However, Caruth was largely absent from his son’s life while growing up.
Raised by Two Strong Women
Edwards was primarily raised by his mother, Chrisha Yvette Edwards, and his maternal grandmother, Shirley Edwards. Both attended nearly every game he played while he was growing up. Their presence was loud, emotional, and always fully invested.
He has three older siblings: a sister named Antoinette and two brothers, Antoine and Bubba.
Tragedy at Fourteen
Not every superstar’s story begins with privilege. Some begin with pain.
Losing his mother and grandmother in 2015 changed everything for him at just fourteen. First, his mother passed, then months later, his grandmother followed from the same illness.
These losses left Edwards, then in eighth grade, under the guardianship of his older sister Antoinette and brother Antoine, who assumed responsibility for his upbringing. The siblings provided stability during this period. Edwards later credited their support for helping him focus on basketball amid personal hardship.
Anthony Edwards wears the No. 5 jersey to pay respect and honor his mother and grandmother, who both died on the fifth day of different months. Every time he steps on the court, he carries them with him.
From Football Fields to Basketball Courts
While growing up in Atlanta, Edwards initially was known for his football exploits, especially as a running back.
By the time he was 11, there was already a YouTube video of his Pop Warner football highlights. He was named one of the top running backs in the country when he was only 10 years old.
Edwards primarily played football until around age 10, when he switched to basketball, influenced by watching his brothers play and often joining them at their grandmother’s house.
It was during the ninth grade that Edwards started playing basketball under the training of Justin Holland, a former college basketball player.
High School Career: A Star Is Born
Therrell High School to Holy Spirit Prep
Edwards initially attended Therrell High School in Atlanta, where he became one of the top players in the country. He adopted a grueling training regimen during this time.
He later transferred to Holy Spirit Prep, where he helped the team win a Georgia state championship in 2018.
At Holy Spirit Prep, he averaged an outstanding 29 points and 9 rebounds per game during his senior year.
A Top-Ranked Recruit
Edwards reclassified from the class of 2020 to 2019 on November 20, 2018, propelling him to the number one overall prospect in the nation per 247Sports rankings. As a five-star shooting guard, he drew interest from elite programs due to his athleticism, scoring ability, and 6-foot-4 frame. ESPN ranked him number 2 nationally.
Moreover, as a senior, he earned McDonald’s All-American and USA Today All-USA first team honors — two of the most prestigious accolades in high school basketball.
College Career: One Year, One Statement
The University of Georgia (2019–2020)
Although he had offers from powerhouse college basketball programs, Edwards chose to play for the University of Georgia so he could remain near his family.
That decision paid off immediately. During his first season (2019–20), Edwards led all Division I freshmen with a 19.1 points-per-game average. He won SEC Freshman of the Year honors.
Additionally, he earned a spot on the Second-Team All-SEC and was named the SEC Rookie of the Year in 2020 — a remarkable one-year statement that announced his arrival on the national stage.
After one dazzling season, he declared for the NBA Draft. The basketball world waited eagerly to see where Ant would land.
NBA Career: The Making of a Franchise Cornerstone
The 2020 NBA Draft: First Overall Pick
Selected as the first overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Edwards has emerged as one of the league’s premier young talents, known for his explosive athleticism, elite scoring ability, and on-court leadership.
Edwards is the Minnesota Timberwolves’ franchise cornerstone and one of the NBA’s most electrifying young superstars.
Rookie Season (2020–21): Immediate Impact
Edwards wasted no time making his presence felt. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team following the 2020–21 season — a clear signal that the number one pick was living up to the hype.
Rising Star (2021–2023): Building the Foundation
Edwards grew year after year with remarkable consistency. He has eight 30-point playoff games — the most in Minnesota Timberwolves franchise history, surpassing Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett. His 30-point performances include his 36-point playoff debut against Memphis (2022) and his franchise-record 41 points against Denver (2023).
He also earned a spot on the FIBA Basketball World Cup All-Tournament Team in 2023.
The Breakout Era (2023–2025): All-Star Status
Both his 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons saw him make Second Team All-NBA, finish seventh in MVP voting, and lead Minnesota to the Western Conference Finals.
The most significant change in his game was his prolific three-point shooting, especially pull-up threes. After taking 6.7 triples per game in 2023–24, he took 10.3 triples per game the following season, drilling 4.1 per game.
In January 2025, he scored a career-high 53 points against the Detroit Pistons, tying his career-high with 10 three-pointers in a single game.
2025–26 Season: Still Dominant
In the 2025–26 season, Edwards averaged 28.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.8 blocks, and 3.4 three-pointers over 35.0 minutes per contest across 60 regular-season games.
He also won the NBA All-Star Game MVP award in 2026 — becoming one of the most decorated young players in recent NBA history.
Historic Records and Milestones
Anthony Edwards has broken records that few ever achieve. He became the youngest player after LeBron James and Kevin Durant to score 40+ points in NBA history.
Edwards also became the first NBA player ever to record 40 points, three steals, three blocks, five three-pointers, and nine rebounds in a single game — achieved against the Portland Trail Blazers.
Olympic Glory: Team USA’s 2024 Paris Gold Medalist
Edwards represented the USA men’s basketball team in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, securing the gold medal.
From Game 1 to the Finals, he showcased his signature Adidas shoes globally — turning the Olympic stage into a personal brand moment as well as a competitive triumph.
In honor of Team USA’s gold medal win in the men’s basketball tournament, Adidas gifted Edwards a custom 1-of-1 golden pair of his signature AE 1 sneakers at a celebration in Paris.
The gold medal cemented his status as not just an NBA superstar — but a global sporting icon.
Career Statistics at a Glance
| Season | Points | Rebounds | Assists | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020–21 | 19.3 | 4.7 | 2.9 | NBA All-Rookie First Team |
| 2021–22 | 21.3 | 4.8 | 3.8 | First Playoff Appearance |
| 2022–23 | 24.6 | 5.8 | 4.4 | First NBA All-Star |
| 2023–24 | 25.9 | 5.4 | 5.1 | All-NBA Second Team; WCF Run |
| 2024–25 | 27.6 | 5.2 | 5.0 | All-NBA Second Team; 53-pt Game |
| 2025–26 | 28.8 | 4.9 | 3.7 | All-Star Game MVP |
Business Empire: Contracts, Endorsements, and Off-Court Earnings
The $244 Million Extension
After leading his team to deep playoff runs and winning an Olympic gold medal, in July 2023, the Timberwolves secured their franchise centerpiece by signing Edwards to a five-year designated rookie maximum extension worth $244.6 million. This historic agreement guarantees his financial future through the 2028–29 season.
By the 2028–29 season, he will earn a staggering $55.67 million in a single season.
Adidas: A Partnership Built for the Future
Anthony Edwards signed a multi-year deal extension with Adidas in July 2024, estimated to be worth around $50 million. This partnership first started in 2020.
He released his first signature shoe — the AE1 — in November 2023. It was an instant success, quickly becoming one of the highest-selling kicks in basketball footwear.
Edwards is currently the face of Adidas’ basketball brand. Moreover, his signature line continues to release new colorways to massive commercial demand.
Don’t Follow the Wave Foundation
Beyond business, Edwards gives back. Anthony Edwards started his foundation, Don’t Follow the Wave (DFTW), with his business manager, Justin Holland. It aims to inspire, empower, and uplift youth by providing educational, athletic, and social programs designed to help them reach their full potential.
Personal Life: Ant Off the Court
Girlfriend and Daughter
Anthony Edwards is in a relationship with Shannon Jackson. The couple welcomed a daughter, Aislynn, in March 2024.
He is not yet married. However, his growing family has clearly brought a new level of purpose and focus to his already driven life.
Jersey Number 5: A Tribute That Means Everything
Anthony Edwards wears the No. 5 jersey to pay respect and honor his mother and grandmother, who both died on the fifth day of different months.
It is more than a number. It is a promise to two women who shaped him.
Personality: Charismatic, Unfiltered, Authentic
Anthony Edwards is famous for far more than his jump shot. Off the court, he has a charismatic and humorous personality that fans love. His media appearances, trash talk, and social media presence have made him one of the most entertaining personalities in all of sports.
Fans and analysts alike agree — Ant-Man may be the most marketable player in the NBA today.
Career Highlights & Awards
- ✅ 4× NBA All-Star (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026)
- ✅ NBA All-Star Game MVP (2026)
- ✅ 2× All-NBA Second Team (2023–24, 2024–25)
- ✅ NBA All-Rookie First Team (2021)
- ✅ Olympic Gold Medal — 2024 Paris Olympics (Team USA)
- ✅ FIBA Basketball World Cup All-Tournament Team (2023)
- ✅ SEC Rookie of the Year (2020)
- ✅ Second-Team All-SEC (2020)
- ✅ McDonald’s All-American (2019)
- ✅ USA Today All-USA First Team (2019)
- ✅ Career-High 53 Points vs. Detroit Pistons (January 4, 2025)
- ✅ Most 30-point Playoff Games in Timberwolves History (surpassing Kevin Garnett)
- ✅ First NBA Player: 40 pts + 3 steals + 3 blocks + 5 threes + 9 rebounds in one game
