VILLENEUVE-D’ASCQ, France – Anthony Edwards had a standout performance.
Edwards showcased his talents with a crowd-pleasing windmill dunk in the fourth quarter during the U.S. men’s basketball team’s 104-83 victory over Puerto Rico in Group C at the 2024 Paris Olympics, contributing an efficient 26 points.
“I had already told KD (Kevin Durant) after the timeout, ‘Bro, if I get a break, I’m going to windmill it,’” Edwards said.
He considered attempting a more risky dunk. “I wanted to go between my legs, but I haven’t tried it in a while, so I (didn’t) want to embarrass myself,” he added.
He certainly impressed. “I’ve been waiting. I want to dunk on somebody, but I haven’t had the chance, so I’m glad I got that one,” Edwards said.
In his best game of these Olympics, Edwards scored 14 points in the second half, helping the U.S. build a 31-point lead and secure a 3-0 record in group play, earning the No. 1 seed for the quarterfinals. He made 11 out of 15 shots from the field, including 3 out of 6 from the three-point range, and added three rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
“It’s going to be different every night. Tonight was my night,” Edwards noted. “The first game was KD’s night, the second was Bam’s (Adebayo). It’s not about me. The ball just found me, it was swing-swing passes, and I was the beneficiary. I knocked them down.”
U.S. head coach Steve Kerr observed these skills from Edwards during the 2023 World Cup and later in the 2023-24 NBA season, where Edwards earned his first All-NBA selection and helped the Minnesota Timberwolves win their first playoff series in 20 years.
“Anthony can score anytime in any situation,” Kerr said. “In tight situations, you need a shot, he can get one. This has been a great experience for him… His overwhelming talent, as he learns to be efficient in his play, will make him unguardable.”
Edwards’ combination of confidence, engagement, humor, and thoughtfulness makes him a unique character in the NBA and on this team. His charismatic demeanor and belief in himself, including comments like, “I’m still the No. 1 option” or thinking he can score against Olympic ping pong players, endear him to fans and teammates.
With the NBA likely to feature more Timberwolves games, Edwards’ profile is set to rise. At the Olympics, he plays a different role compared to last year’s FIBA World Cup, serving as a reserve on a star-studded team. Despite comments about being the No. 1 option, he simply meant he has strong self-belief and aims to contribute meaningfully.
Edwards is excited to be part of Team USA, playing alongside the basketball greats he once idolized. Growing up in Atlanta, his first NBA game was Atlanta vs. Oklahoma City, where Durant, who was with the Thunder, became his favorite player. “After that, I watched all his games,” Edwards said. “I wore No. 35 in basketball when I was little.”
During practices and games, Edwards and Durant often engage in conversations. Durant has enjoyed getting to know Edwards, and their time together on Team USA has built a strong rapport.
“It was incredible to watch him perform tonight, knocking down shots, getting to the rim, and just playing his game,” Durant said. “He had fun and energized the crowd and our team. It’s enjoyable playing with him.”
Looking ahead, Edwards’ trajectory suggests he could become the face of the U.S. basketball team for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games.
“It’s an honor to play for your country and try to put on a show for the people,” Edwards said. “I would hope so.”
Anthony Edwards had a moment to shine and it’s clear he’s destined for many more.