Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards recently earned strong praise from Dwyane Wade this week, with the future Hall of Famer setting the bar high for the No. 1 overall pick.
The two players have long had a connection with each playing for Tom Crean in college. Of course, Edwards played last season at Georgia under Crean while Wade was with him at Marquette during the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons.
"I definitely think he can be a better player than I was. He has all the tools."@DwyaneWade has high hopes for Anthony Edwards. pic.twitter.com/0CcSdPM3eK
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 17, 2021
During the pre-draft process, Edwards often said he carefully studied Wade growing up and even believed he could one day be better than the 13-time All-Star. Wade, at the time, agreed with Edwards and once again offered that take Tuesday on the set of NBA on TNT.
I got a chance to meet Anthony Edwards when he was a junior in high school. I sat down and watched film with him and Coach Crean in Georgia. It was great to see him go through that film session and understand at that time that he can get a lot better. Watching him get better in college and now in the pros, it’s so great.
I definitely think he can be a better player than I was, he has all of the tools. You set the bar so people can jump over that bar and I think he has the talent to be able to jump over the bar that I set. I hope he does it. I hope he becomes a way better player than I was.
Edwards, through 29 games played, has emerged as one of the top rookies to this point of the season. He started off rather inefficient from the field, but has started to put it together and is slowly becoming a better offensive player given his athleticism and strength.
The 19-year-old has shown in spurts that he has the tools to become one of the best players in the game at his position. He still has a long way to go to reach that bar set by Wade, but the potential is there if he can continue to develop and progress the right way.
