Did You Know: NBA’s New Michael Jordan Has the Same Father as Bubba Wallace’s Disciple Raja Caruth

The NBA playoffs are the ultimate stage where greats are made. When the lights are the brightest, who will prevail? So far this season one man’s staggering rise to the scene has encapsulated fans completely. Anthony Edwards, a 21-year-old sensation in the NBA is establishing himself as one of the future superstars in the league.

Ant-Man as he is called is a blend of characteristics from each era of basketball. Like the modern player, Edwards is physically gifted. He is an explosive athlete all while being technically sound. Yet, he carries the ferocity of the older generation. His brimming desire for winning supersedes any of his ambitions. That’s the reason he earned a comparison to the one and only Michael Jordan.

It’s not just the similarities in their nature. Edwards carries himself much as His Airness used to. The Minnesota Timberwolves guard relishes competition. His adrenaline spikes at the very prospect of winning. That single objective dictates his journey and the timeless hours he puts in the gym to significantly improve every season.

While he and MJ are not related in any sense, there is one tie of his that has only recently come to light. And it somewhat does involve the six-time Finals MVP.

Anthony Edwards and Rajah Caruth share the same fathers

Edwards was the youngest of three siblings growing up. The NBA prodigy shared a close bond with his mother Yvette Edwards and his other siblings. He has shared multiple posts on his social media indicative of the genuine love he shares for his family. Edwards was raised solely by his mother. Sadly, Yvette passed away due to cancer at the age of 43 in 2015.

Edwards’ father is Roger Caruth. His birth father wasn’t a part of his life. He was cut from Ant’s life a long time ago. But fate has funny ways of working. Just as Anthony Edwards began his rise to NBA stardom at 21, there is another NASCAR prodigy – Rajah Caruth who won his first NASCAR Cup series in March earlier this year.

As many might have guessed it, Rajah’s father is Roger Caruth himself making him a half-brother to Edwards. The two haven’t publicly acknowledged their relationship nor have they ever spoken of each other.

Rajah, who drives the Chevrolet Silverado for Spire Motorsports began his journey in computer racing. At the bleak age of 14, when he first visited the tracks, his hair jumped and he realized his dream. He first raced in a legendary car at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He was only 17 at the time. Little did he know, this experience would be life-changing.

It was at his race that he met Bubba Wallace, a NASCAR racer for Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing. The legendary driver recalls jumping into Rajah’s face when he first met him. Since that day, he took him under his wing and has educated the 21-year-old about the racing world. After winning his maiden Truck Series race, Rajah Caruth heaped heavy praise on his mentor. Even Wallace couldn’t control his emotions, admitting his protege’s win spurred his motivation to do well in his race.

As weird as it is, both Anthony Edwards and Rajah Caruth are entering the primes of their career. They have both successfully conquered their sports and only look to grow further. Even without interacting once, there seems to be similarity in their journeys, the beginning of which links to Roger.