Anthony Edwards, despite being surrounded by veteran talent on the Team USA roster, asserts his position as the team’s primary offensive threat.
“I’m still the No. 1 option,” Edwards stated at Olympic training camp, as reported by The Washington Post’s Ben Golliver. “Y’all might look at it differently, but I don’t look at it that different.”
Edwards continued, “I just go out there and be myself. Shoot my shots, play defense. They’ve got to fit in and play around me. That’s how I feel.”
At 22, Edwards led Team USA’s scoring at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, averaging 18.9 points on 15.3 field-goal attempts per game. No other player on the team averaged more than 14 points per game.
Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton are the only two returning players from the World Cup squad, where the Americans finished fourth after losing to Canada in the bronze-medal game.
Last season, Edwards averaged 25.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists for the Minnesota Timberwolves, leading the team to the Western Conference finals.
For Team USA, Edwards will compete for the top offensive role against seasoned players like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, and Joel Embiid.
Team USA is set to face Canada on Wednesday in an exhibition game before the Olympics later in July.
