Whether on the pitch, on the big screen or playing To get madAnthony Edwards never lacks for confidence. What said in 2020, “whatever you need me to do… I bet I’ll be A1 from day one” and Ant Man has delivered on those words. In his sophomore campaign, Edwards averaged 21 points per game along with just under five rebounds and four assists per game. The young star of the Minnesota Timberwolves is fresh off a standout playoff performance in his postseason debut and is poised for a special third year in the association. Off the court, Edwards or “Kermit Wilts” to some has been just as active as a movie star. Hustle as the main character’s archenemy, Bo Cruz played by Raptors forward Juancho Hernangómez. Confidence has been the backbone of Edwards’ success and he attributes that to his brothers.
“Just for being a kid. I’ve always felt like I’m the best at everything I’ve done,” says Edwards. “My brothers made me feel that way. Going against them made me feel like I was the best person in the world. That is my confidence. I get it from my brothers.”
We caught up with the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft for a few minutes to discuss his latest moment on the big screen and his partnership with Sprite. Edwards joined Trae Young as the new faces of Sprite to promote the company’s new image. Beginning August 1, Sprite’s iconic green bottles will be converted to clear plastic, the first major update within the company in 60 years. Edwards and Young starred in a new commercial that pays homage to Sprite’s 2010 commercial with Drake.
(This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.)
How did the association with Sprite come about?
My agent just called me and asked if I wanted to be the new face of Sprite. I thought ‘yeah, why not after seeing all the drug commercials on TV when I was a kid?’ I’m excited to help introduce the next era of the Sprite legacy. Sprite is shaking things up with its new clear bottles that embrace the same classic lemon-lime flavor, now just in a bottle that’s made to be remade again.
The commercial you got to show off more of your acting skills, what was it like to pay homage to the drake classic commercial we all grew up in?
It was great, especially them, showing me the commercial when his face blew up and brought back memories of watching every NBA game when the Sprite commercial was on. It’s surreal, I can’t even describe it as an homage to Drake and Sprite.
You’ve been showing off your acting chops all summer, are we going to see more of you on the big screen soon?
I hope so man. I hope to get more offers so I can show my acting skills. I’m a pretty good actor.
Are you going for an Oscar?
Yeah I’m trying to get some awards on that too.
Either Are you playing Madden vs. Chibatta or you on the court, you always seem like the most confident guy, where does that come from?
Just for being a kid. I have always felt that I am the best at everything I do. My brothers made me feel that way. Going against them made me feel like I was the best person in the world. That is my confidence. I get it from my brothers.
Going into your third season, what are your expectations individually?
Me personally, I want to be an All-Star Starter. I want my averages to go up. I want to win a lot of games and get into the playoffs.
Speaking of the playoffs, do you still think about your loss to the Grizzlies and feel like they gave the series away?
Man, I feel like we handed it to you, man. It was like taking candy from a baby and they took it away. We had all the games won, man, and I don’t know what happened. I do not know what happened
KAT said y’all are either a champion team or a flop this year, do you agree and why?
Safely. Adding Rudy puts that pressure on us. I agree with that.
Did you see Draymond Green laughing at that?
No, I did not see it. Haha, you know Draymond is a chump. He is going to put his grain of sand in anyone’s comment.
You know Twitter goes to Twitter and they brought rewind the video where you said Rudy Gobert puts no fear in your heart. Now that he’s your teammate, what do you think of Rudy?
Haha, no, he’s dumb. He’s going to make it hard for everyone at the rim and that’s what we needed, so I think that’s a great move.
With the careers of stars like LeBron and KD coming to an end, the league is looking for that new face. Do you think you can be the face of the NBA?
Oh yes, 100 percent. Of course. I mean it comes with time and it comes with work and dedication. I feel like I have all three and I feel like it’s going to take me to the top.
In that sense, where do you rank among the best players in the league? Do you think you still have time to get to be in that category of best player?
Yes of course. I need another year. After this year, I think I’ll be in the (best player) conversation.
So after next season, will you be in convo for the best player in the league?
Yes of course.
We’ve seen you venture out of basketball. We’ve seen the movie and now the Sprite commercial, what’s your personal goal outside of hooping?
I want to bowl 300. I want to get 13 strikes in a row. That is my goal this summer.
So, are you really the best in all sports?
I am the safest person in the world. I feel like I’m the best in all of sports right now.
Us I recently spoke with Justin Jefferson and I told him that you two are the faces of Minnesota sports, just like KG and Randy Moss, have you met Justin?
No, we have our own kind of loot. I haven’t met him yet, but he’s great. I went to a game and I saw him score. It has its own swag and I like it.