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Debate

Does Anthony Edwards have what it takes to be the next NBA legend, or is he overhyped?

When Anthony Edwards called Michael Jordan the only skilled player from his era, it was sure to rub the legends, analysts, and community the wrong way. And it is no surprise because that era had Larry Bird and Magic Johnson. Before him, legends like Wilt Chamberlain, Bob Cousy, and Scottie Pippen plied their trade. As expected, Magic Johnson, the greatest point guard of all time, did not even deem it fit to reply to Edwards’ comment. Reason?

He chose not to answer to a guy “who’s never won a Championship!” Well, it’s the bitter truth, but he’s not wrong in any way.

The Wolves star has not won an NBA championship yet. The Timberwolves were on a roll this year but could not make it to the NBA Finals. However, Magic Johnson knew about the pain points, as he further added, “I’ve got nothing to say. He didn’t win a college Championship, I don’t even know if he won a high school Championship.”

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That’s interesting news! Our Ant-Man was a 5-star recruit and top shooting guard in the 2019 class. Yet he doesn’t have any Championships before or after his college recruitment. Let’s delve deeper into this silverware drought in Ant’s hoops career.

Anthony Edwards’ glory-filled high school career

Before his high school life at Holy Spirit Preparatory School, Anthony Edwards studied at Therrell High School. The 2019 class member, however, had to change the schools for academic improvement. The Holy Spirit school had “small class sizes and support” to get more attention from the teachers, but Ant-Man was required to reclassify to the 2020 class. While following his aspirations, in his sophomore year, he won the Holy Spirit hoops team a Georgia Independent School Association Class AAA State Championship.

Meanwhile, after also witnessing academic improvement, Anthony Edwards was reclassified back to the class of 2019. 247Sports had projected him as the top recruit in its rankings.

As he stepped into his senior year, he maintained a high standard of gameplay and spearheaded his team in the GISA Class AAA State Championship, delivering 27 points. Yet they could not get past the Heritage School and finished as runner-ups.

What’s your perspective on:

Does Anthony Edwards have what it takes to be the next NBA legend, or is he overhyped?

Have an interesting take?

In March and April 2019, Anthony Edwards got to play at McDonald’s All-American Game and Jordan Brand Classic. Yet there was no special feat other than his stats. By the end of his high school season, he was averaging 29 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists.

Despite being a 5-star recruit, Anthony Edwards’ college career was deprived of a Championship!

With 5-star ratings from Rivals, ESPN, and 247Sports, Anthony Edwards committed to Georgia University in February 2019. His primary cause for joining the Bulldogs was the pathway of two former NBA players, Victor Oladipo and Dwayne Wade.

Wade, one of the greatest shooting guards in the NBA, trained under Georgia’s head coach, Tom Crean. Thereafter, young Anthony Edwards joined forces with the basketball team on November 5, 2019, to mark his debut. Straight after entering, he broke the record for most points by a Georgia freshman debutant since 1979!

He raked up 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 steals in a breakout victory against Western Carolina. On November 26, the same year, Ant recorded the season-high 37 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 blocks in an 8-point deficit match against Michigan State at the Maui Invitational.

via Reuters

The consistency from Ant-Man continued, though it was not the same for the Bulldogs. In February 2020, he recorded 29 points and 15 rebounds while playing opposite TexasA&M and securing a victory. However, in the next game, his team lost despite Anthony Edwards’ 32-point streak. The misfortune continued as the Bulldogs lost to South Carolina and the defeat by 4 points came after he put up 36 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists.

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Averaging 19.1 points alongside a smidgen over 5 rebounds and 2.8 assists in his freshman year, Anthony Edwards decided to go pro.

So, he did not get to complete a proper college basketball career/run since he enrolled for the draft after Year 1 itself. During his NCAA tenure, all he got were accolades, the most prominent of which were SEC Freshman of the Year and 4x SEC Freshman of the Week.

So, it can be concluded that Magic Johnson was slightly incorrect about Anthony Edwards. The Wolves star did win a Championship but in the sophomore year of his high school days. Since then, the sole purpose of Ant-Man has been to focus on winning an NBA Championship! What do you all think? Can the Wolves barge through all the tough competition? Let us know in the comments.

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Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Asia Avinger