I remember sitting in my living room on that unusual November evening in 2020, watching the NBA draft unfold under circumstances none of us could have predicted. The pandemic had reshaped everything, including how we experienced what's typically one of basketball's most electrifying nights. When Commissioner Adam Silver announced the Minnesota Timberwolves had selected Anthony Edwards with the first overall pick, I'll admit I had my doubts. Sure, the Georgia guard had undeniable athleticism, but his college stats—19.1 points per game on 40% shooting—didn't exactly scream "generational talent." What I couldn't have anticipated was how perfectly his journey would mirror that quote from the knowledge base: "First two sets, okay naman, kontrolado namin. Pero in-expect din namin talaga na pwede talaga siyang magdikit." Translated from Filipino, it essentially means they controlled the early parts but expected things could get tight—a perfect description of Edwards' NBA trajectory.
Edwards' rookie season felt exactly like those "first two sets" where things appeared under control but hinted at tighter contests ahead. The Timberwolves finished with a disappointing 23-49 record, yet Edwards showed flashes of brilliance that made basketball analysts like myself lean forward in our seats. He averaged 19.3 points, but what stood out was his February 2021 performance against Phoenix where he dropped 42 points—becoming the third-youngest player in NBA history to score 40+ in a game. Still, the team struggled, and Edwards' efficiency numbers left room for improvement. I recall thinking during that season that he reminded me of a raw diamond—incredible potential but needing refinement. His defensive effort wavered, his shot selection sometimes baffled me, and yet there were moments where he'd explode for a dunk that would literally make me jump off my couch.
The "magdikit" phase—where things started getting tight and competitive—arrived in his second season. This was when Edwards truly began justifying that number one selection. Minnesota improved to 46-36 and made the playoffs for just the second time in 18 years. Edwards elevated his game to 21.3 points per game while shooting significantly better from the field. What impressed me most wasn't just the statistical improvement but how he embraced the moment. During their first-round series against Memphis, Edwards averaged 25.2 points against one of the league's best defenses. I remember watching Game 4 of that series where he scored 24 points in the second half alone, single-handedly keeping Minnesota competitive in a close contest. His performance reminded me why teams invest so much in top draft picks—when they develop correctly, they can transform entire franchises.
Now in his fourth season, Edwards has firmly established himself as one of basketball's brightest young stars. His numbers have climbed to 26.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game, but statistics only tell part of the story. What's captivated me about his development is how he's become the emotional heartbeat of a Timberwolves team that's evolved into legitimate championship contenders. Last season's Western Conference Finals appearance wasn't something anyone predicted back in 2020, yet Edwards carried them there with legendary performances, including a 43-point outburst against Denver that had basketball Twitter comparing him to Michael Jordan. I don't make that comparison lightly—having covered basketball for fifteen years, I've seen countless young players receive premature comparisons to legends. With Edwards, there's something different—a combination of athletic explosiveness, competitive fire, and charisma that feels truly special.
The international basketball community has taken notice too. Edwards played a crucial role for Team USA in the 2023 FIBA World Cup, averaging 18.9 points and demonstrating his ability to impact games against global competition. Watching him dominate against seasoned international veterans confirmed what I'd begun suspecting—this isn't just a good player developing nicely, but a potential face of the league in the making. His marketability has skyrocketed accordingly, with endorsement deals with Adidas and other major brands reportedly worth approximately $12 million annually. From a business perspective, Edwards represents exactly what the NBA wants in its stars—electrifying play combined with personality and global appeal.
Reflecting on that 2020 draft class, what strikes me is how perfectly Edwards has embodied that idea of controlled development leading to increasingly competitive phases. The players selected immediately after him—James Wiseman at number two to Golden State and LaMelo Ball at number three to Charlotte—have had their own journeys, but neither has elevated their team's ceiling quite like Edwards has with Minnesota. Wiseman has already been traded twice despite his draft position, while Ball, though brilliant when healthy, has struggled with consistent availability. Edwards, meanwhile, has missed just 23 games total through his first four seasons—remarkable durability for such an explosive athlete.
Looking forward, I'm genuinely excited to see how high Edwards' ceiling might be. At just 23 years old, he's already achieved more than most players do in entire careers, yet somehow feels like he's just getting started. The Timberwolves have built a formidable roster around him, with Rudy Gobert anchoring the defense and Karl-Anthony Towns providing spacing and scoring. This supporting cast allows Edwards to focus on what he does best—creating offense and serving as the team's primary clutch performer. I've found myself specifically tuning into Timberwolves games during fourth quarters just to watch Edwards take over—there's an undeniable thrill in watching a young star embrace rather than shy away from pressure moments.
In many ways, Anthony Edwards represents the ideal outcome for a number one draft pick—steady development, growing leadership, and the ability to elevate an entire organization. His journey from a talented but raw prospect to bona fide superstar mirrors that gradual tightening of competition described in the Filipino quote, where initial control gives way to hard-fought battles that ultimately reveal true character and capability. Four years after that pandemic-era draft, the Timberwolves' selection looks increasingly like a franchise-altering decision, one that I believe will keep Minnesota in championship conversations for years to come. For basketball fans like myself, there are few things more rewarding than watching a top pick not just meet but exceed the enormous expectations placed upon them.