Team USA’s Anthony Edwards Shines in Exhibition Win Over Germany
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Team USA is leaving the desert tested and with a star to lead it to a World Cup. Or an “Ant.”
Anthony Edwards capped a brilliant exhibition season for the Americans with 34 points in their 99-91 comeback win over Germany on Sunday.
Germany has a roster with several capable NBA players and led the Americans by as many as 16 points in the third quarter, but a sterling combination of defensive focus, steely nerve, and Edwards sent Team USA out of the desert and onto Manila for the start of the World Cup a perfect 5-0 in friendlies.
If there is a single American player who has metamorphosed since training camp began Aug. 3 in Las Vegas, it’s Edwards, the Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star who was already a favorite to use his Team USA experience as a springboard to even bigger stardom.
Well, he has jumped.
“He’s unquestionably ‘the guy,'” coach Steve Kerr said. “I mean … he knows it, but now the team knows it and I think the fans see it. But we see it in practice every day. He genuinely believes he’s the best player in the gym every single night. And he’s such a dynamic young player, but I think he’s taking a leap.”
Edwards scored 12 in the final quarter, which began with the Americans trailing 77-73. His 3-ball with 5:18 left tied the game at 86, Mikal Bridges’ 3-pointer with 2:15 to go broke the tie, and then Edwards finished it. He drilled two free throws, and then his turnaround jumper with 59.4 seconds was the closer.
“This was fun,” Edwards said. “This is, I ain’t have fun like this in a minute. We were down (16), man, so like, that was adversity, fight.”
This game being a friendly and all, records were not immediately available, but the record for points in a game by an American in World Cup play is 38 by Kevin Durant, back in 2010 – following his third NBA season and first as an All-Star. He led the Americans to a world championship that season.
Edwards, 22, has played three NBA seasons now and, as timing would have it, was an All-Star for the first time in February.
“If you think about USA basketball over the years, a lot of young players have taken a leap in these World Cup (and) Olympic competitions and it feels to me like Anthony is taking that leap,” Kerr said.
Edwards, the Americans’ leading scorer in exhibition play, shot 11-of-21 from the field and 8-of-8 at the line with four 3s. He added six boards and a shocking two-hand slam over Daniel Theis in the first quarter.
Tyrese Haliburton scored 11 of his 16 points in the third quarter, igniting Team USA’s comeback, and Austin Reaves contributed 16 points off the bench.
The Germans went more than six minutes without scoring, not breaking through until there were less than 50 seconds to go, and Team USA had settled it. The Americans were on an 18-0 run at the time.
Franz Wagner paced Germany with 17 points, while Dennis Schröder (16 points, 10 assists) and Theis (12 points, 13 rebounds) each produced a double-double.
In conclusion, Anthony Edwards showcased his talent and leadership skills in Team USA’s exhibition win over Germany. With his impressive performance, Edwards solidified his position as a rising star in the NBA. As Team USA prepares for the World Cup, Edwards’ contributions will be crucial in their pursuit of success.