I remember watching the 2020 NBA Draft with particular interest—not just because it was the first virtual draft in league history due to the pandemic, but because the Minnesota Timberwolves held that coveted number one pick. After months of speculation, they selected Anthony Edwards from the University of Georgia, a explosive 6'4" guard with breathtaking athleticism and scoring ability that immediately drew comparisons to Dwyane Wade. At just 19 years old, he carried the weight of enormous expectations into a league navigating unprecedented challenges.
Looking back now, what strikes me most about Edwards' journey is how perfectly it illustrates the philosophy shared by that Abra team owner in our reference material. Edwards had multiple paths he could have taken—he could have stayed another year in college, or perhaps pursued opportunities overseas during the pandemic uncertainty. Instead, he seized the NBA opportunity when it came, much like how the Abra owner encourages players to pursue better opportunities when they arise. In Edwards' case, that decision has paid off spectacularly. Through his first three seasons, he's improved his scoring average from 19.3 points as a rookie to 24.6 in his second year, then exploding to 31.6 points per game in the 2023 playoffs, announcing his arrival as a genuine superstar.
Where is Anthony Edwards now? Well, he's firmly established as the face of the Minnesota Timberwolves franchise and widely considered one of the most exciting young talents in the entire league. Last season, he averaged 28.4 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.3 assists while shooting nearly 46% from the field—numbers that placed him firmly in All-NBA conversations. But statistics only tell part of the story. What's more impressive is how he's embraced leadership and transformed the Timberwolves into legitimate contenders in the Western Conference. His combination of powerful drives to the basket, improved three-point shooting (around 36% last season), and tenacious defense makes him that rare two-way player who can single-handedly shift a game's momentum.
The reference about Abra's approach to player development resonates deeply when I consider Edwards' growth trajectory. Minnesota has created an environment where he could flourish—they've surrounded him with complementary talents like Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert, while giving him the freedom to play through mistakes. This supportive yet challenging environment reminds me of that open-arms philosophy from our reference material. Edwards has repaid that faith by developing aspects of his game that were once questioned—his playmaking, defensive consistency, and decision-making have all shown marked improvement season after season.
What often gets overlooked in Edwards' story is how close we came to him choosing football over basketball—he was a highly-touted high school football recruit as a running back. Honestly, I'm grateful every day that he chose basketball because watching his explosive drives and powerful dunks has become one of the genuine pleasures of modern NBA viewing. His charismatic personality and obvious love for the game have made him a marketing dream too, with endorsement deals totaling approximately $15 million annually from brands like Adidas and Panini.
As Edwards enters what should be the prime years of his career, I'm convinced we're watching a future MVP in the making. The Timberwolves have built their entire franchise around him, and at just 22 years old, his ceiling seems almost limitless. While some number one picks have faltered under expectations, Edwards has embraced them with a confidence that's both refreshing and intimidating to opponents. His journey from that virtual draft night to NBA stardom exemplifies why teams invest so much in top draft picks—when the talent, work ethic, and environment align perfectly, you don't just get a good player, you get a franchise transformer who can elevate everyone around them.