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What happened to Anthony Edwards’ mom? What we know about Timberwolves star’s family
Image credit: ClutchPoints

What happened to Anthony Edwards’ mom? What we know about Timberwolves star’s family

Originally posted on ClutchPoints  |  By Nate Duffett  |  Last updated 5/11/24

Anthony Edwards’ mother was Yvette Edwards. She died tragically from cancer when Anthony was in the eighth grade.

We are certain that Yvette would be proud of the man Anthony has become, as he has risen to one of the top up-and-coming superstars in the NBA and a role model off the court for the youth. Anthony Edwards is the leader of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Edwards grew up playing football, but in the ninth grade, he began training under Justin Holland, an Atlanta-based basketball trainer. He transferred to Holy Spirit Prep School in Atlanta in 2017 to improve his academics and get a basketball scholarship.

Edwards rose to be the number one recruit in the nation from the recruiting website 247Sports. He committed to play college basketball at Georgia, was a finalist for the top collegiate shooting guard in his freshman season, and then declared for the NBA draft.

The Minnesota Timberwolves drafted Edwards with the first overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft, and he finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting.

He became an All-Star in his third season but fell short to the Denver Nuggets in the playoffs. Regardless of the loss, Edwards was beginning to become a star.

Not many people could have predicted the run Edwards has been on during the 2023-24 playoffs. Edwards had a great regular season, but caught fire in the playoffs, helping dump the Phoenix Suns in five games.

Then, he outdueled MVP Nikola Jokic in Games 1 and 2 to take the series lead. Edwards joined Kobe Bryant as the only players with consecutive 40-point games at age 22 or younger in playoff history. He scored just 19 points in a blowout loss in Game 3.

Who is Anthony Edwards’ mother?

Anthony Edwards’ mother is Yvette Edwards. She was the sole parent responsible for his upbringing, along with his grandmother Shirley. They raised Anthony and his siblings, as Edwards’ father Roger Caruth was not involved.

Yvette died on Jan. 5, 2015, while Anthony was in the eighth grade. Shirley was now in charge of raising the family, but eight months later, she also passed away from cancer. Anthony’s life was turned upside down at a young age.

Tribute to Yvette and Shirley

Edwards had a heartbreaking 2015, as he lost two women in his life within eight months. His mother, Yvette, and grandmother, Shirley, both passed away due to cancer. The deaths had a cruel similarity in that they both happened on the 5th day of the month. 

Edwards knew there was some way he could honor the lives of his two most important women, so he began wearing the number five. He wore it throughout high school and college but started his NBA career wearing the number one.

Before the 2023-24 season, Edwards announced that he was switching to number five with the Timberwolves, returning to honor his lost loved ones. Giving extra meaning to the number is that Edwards was also born on Aug. 5.

Anthony Edwards is a great basketball player, and he likely would have gone on this same trajectory if he hadn’t switched numbers. However, it may be extra special to Edwards that he has gone on his meteoric rise to superstardom in 2023-24 with the tribute to his mother and grandmother on his back.

Sunday, May 12, will be a special day for Edwards as he battles with the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of the second round on Mother’s Day.

This article first appeared on ClutchPoints and was syndicated with permission.

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