Gen Z and Gen Alpha fans have, in Anthony Edwards, a uniquely entertaining talent to follow as kids. The Minnesota Timberwolves star has become one of the faces of the NBA over the past few years. He is a man with 99.9 percentile athletic talent, and has made some of the most athletic plays the game has ever seen. Through his five seasons in the NBA, it is safe to say that Edwards has made a real imprint.
But the allure of the 23-year-old is far from confined to only matters of basketball skill. Anthony Edwards is a uniquely glib speaker and is one of the most infamous chirpers in the NBA. His trash talk and his ability to elevate his game following such talk makes him a deadly competitor. His ability to talk trash and make fun of his opponents, while also being friendly to them, also translates to his visibility off the court.
Edwards is one of the most earnest young men in the league and a true man of the people. But with his quick wit, he can switch from serious to joking in the blink of an eye. However, there’s also a side of him that has lowered his approval rating with fans. His episodes of not standing up and being a father to his kids, as well as pressuring women who’ve slept with him to abort their kids, show his dark side.
Even in the episode referred to above, he created a viral phrase ‘Hell nawl’ that has since been spammed on basketball subreddits, NBA Twitter, and other NBA discussion forums. It’s only fitting that Anthony Edwards used the catchphrase he created to make more funny moments, at his own discretion this time. The three-time All-Star started a Q&A session with his fans on Instagram today.
He responded to a variety of questions with the phrase ‘Hell nawl’, allowing the jokes to write themselves.
Anthony Edwards’ Q&A was hilarious
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) July 14, 2025
(via @evinfour) pic.twitter.com/VVyMI7JJVC
Edwards proved with this exchange that he’s capable of taking jokes on his name and deeds on the chin. Even though it was not in question.
Anthony Edwards has the raw talent, charisma, and competitive fire to become the NBA’s face. At 23, he’s already a three-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA Second Team selection, averaging 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in the 2024-25 season with a 44.7% field goal percentage and 39.5% from three. Edwards also had a landmark season as a shooter, leading the NBA in 3s made with 320 in the regular season.
He’s broken quite a few records on the way. He recently became the youngest NBA player to reach 1,000 career three-pointers. His playoff performances, including a 44 point outing against Denver, a couple of near triple-doubles against Dallas and more, prove he thrives under pressure. His ability to score from anywhere, especially adding mid-range shots, makes him a versatile threat.
He’s knocked out stars like Kevin Durant, Luka Doncic, LeBron James and Nikola Jokić in playoff series, showing he can challenge the league’s elite.
Off the court, his “Ant-Man” persona, bold trash-talk, and relatable vibe resonate with fans, echoing the swagger of MJ and Kobe. He takes his losses on the chin, as he did by giving an OKC in 5 shout to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and co after his playoff exit, making him more likeable as a character.
His youth suggests more growth in the offing. If he sustains this trajectory, improving his efficiency and playmaking while staying injury-free, he’s poised to carry the league’s mantle.
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