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Paris Olympics 2024: Anthony Edwards Keen on Battling Devin Booker and Others For Coveted Team USA Position

Published 03/19/2024, 12:13 PM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

After a standout performance at the FIBA World Cup, Anthony Edwards is now eyeing another opportunity to prove himself on the international stage. While Team USA’s FIBA run ended in dismay, they will have another chance to prove their mettle and reclaim glory at the upcoming Paris Olympics in the summer. And it’s only fair for Team USA’s top finisher to get a spot on the roster. However, the Minnesota Timberwolves guard isn’t just vying for a place on the team’s 12-man roster; he has also set his sights on competing for a starting role on the next Olympic team.

During the recent episode of FanDuel’s Run It Back, Shams Charania said, “He [Edwards]’s someone who’s been described to me as a guy that will be on the 2024 USA Basketball Olympic team in Paris. And when you think about this roster that we’re having the skeletons forming of LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, Devin Booker, I’m told Anthony Edwards fully wants to go and compete to start on this team.”

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Despite Team USA falling short of a podium finish after a loss to Canada, Ant-Man had an exceptional stat line of 18.9 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.1 steals while averaging 25.9 minutes per game. But securing the starting shooting guard spot over Devin Booker would be a tough nut to crack. However, it’s not entirely out of reach.

Can Anthony Edwards earn a spot in Team USA’s starting five?

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The T-Wolves guard is having yet another standout season, leading his team to the Western Conference at one point. This season, Edwards is averaging 26.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists while connecting 46.7% of his shots from the field and 37% from beyond the arc. And his highlight-worthy dunks have further solidified his position as one of the league’s best. Just a day before, he made a compelling case for the Dunk of the Year after his nasty one-handed slam over Utah Jazz defender John Collins during Minnesota’s 119-100 victory.

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However, Edwards must bring more than just statistics to the table to potentially replace Booker at the shooting guard position. Booker has been impressive this season, averaging 27.2 points, 6.9 assists, and 4.7 rebounds, with shooting percentages of 49.1% from the field and 35.8% from three-point range. Despite their individual achievements, neither player has won a championship yet. Perhaps a title before the summer tournament will further increase their chances of earning a starting spot on the Team USA roster. Who do you think should start for Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics? Let us know in the comments!

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Written by:

Darshita Daga

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Darshita is an NBA Writer at EssentiallySports who is creating her own space in the spectrum of sport journalism. Darshita specializes in dissecting post-game interviews, trade, and contracts. Her appetite for literature, akin to her affection for the Milwaukee Bucks, knows no bounds.
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Edited by:

Bilal Handoo