Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards may not want to be the face of the NBA, but his confidence is unmatched among his peers. In a new clip from the Paris Olympic Games last summer, Edwards' confidence was put on full display in a chat with former U.S. President Barack Obama and basketball legends like Joel Embiid, LeBron James, and Kevin Durant.
Barack Obama: "What do you think about this young guy [Edwards]? He can hoop a little bit, huh?"
Joel Embiid: "Just a little bit."
Anthony Edwards: "Nah, y'all better stand down, I'm the truth! People know..."
Barack Obama: "I guess!"
Anthony Edwards: "He's cold though I gotta give him credit. He [Embiid] gives us 50 every time we play him."
Barack Obama: "And y'all got two seven-footers and he's still scoring like that."
Anthony Edwards: "Hold on, we ain't gonna do all that..."
Barack Obama: "You got three 'cause you got Naz Reid."
Anthony Edwards' confidence is truly astounding and the fact that he was able to act so cool in front of former President Obama (44th President) and fellow NBA superstars says a lot about his ability to perform under pressure.
The interaction was already gold to this point but it got even better when LeBron James joined the fold and got caught up to speed on the whole story.
Barack Obama: "Are y'all talking to his young man? Because he just keeps on... right now he just said he's the truth and all that."
Anthony Edwards: "Tell him the whole contest of the situation though. You asked him what he thinks about this young man and he said I'm okay and I said 'I'm the truth.' That's what happened."
Kevin Durant: "There's nothing wrong with that."
LeBron James: "Ant-man the truth!"
Edwards, 23, was part of Team USA's 12-man roster for the Summer Olympics in Paris last year. At the time, he was coming off a historic season for the Timberwolves and was among the most influential players for the country all summer long.
We don't know when the clip with Barack Obama was taken but it's finally making waves after all this time hidden away. Fans especially loved the end of the video, when Edwards orders a drink, and asks if it's non-alcoholic. Unlike most players his age, Edwards opted to stay sober, which earned a comment of approval from Obama. Ant doesn't drink mid-way through the season and it's another sign of his discipline and commitment to winning.
In a room with such major players, anyone might feel nervous trying to strike up a conversation. In the case of Edwards, it comes naturally and he's the same in any situation whether he's talking to his teammates, the media, or a former President of the United States.
At 23 years old, Edwards has become one of the NBA's premier young stars with career averages of 23.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game on 44.0% shooting. He's the face and leader of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and many fans are hoping for him to become more.
So far, Edwards has rejected the opportunity to become the next face of the NBA but he's got the heart of a champion and the confidence to match. In just four years in the NBA, Edwards has impressed everyone with his skills, maturity, and competitive motor at just 23 years old. In Ant's eyes, he's just getting started.
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