The 2024 Paris Olympics gave Anthony Edwards a new perspective. For the first time since he began his professional basketball career, the 23-year-old saw many of his top NBA rivals as teammates when representing Team USA. As a result, he may have grown to appreciate their on-court skills and prowess in a different manner. While the Timberwolves star would have been left flabbergasted, just like everyone else, by LeBron James and Stephen Curry’s prowess, his recent revelation showed that one particular star definitely performed better than his expectations. Someone who Steve Kerr himself went out of his way to call the “Unsung MVP” of the Olympics.

Earlier today, both Edwards and Kevin Durant attended the Fanatics Fest. During a sit-down interview, the Timberwolves shooting guard discussed Team USA’s recent Gold Medal Olympic run, seizing the opportunity to praise Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker. While appreciating by LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and Durant’s performances, Edwards said Booker really impressed him. “But Book was guarding the best player, turning down shots. Book go for seventy, not gonna lie, I was impressed watching him.”

Anthony Edwards has faced Devin Booker and his team on the NBA court numerous times, and he has been humbled by the Phoenix Suns with a 1-11 record. However, being on the same team gave him a chance to view the Suns player in a different light. Devin Booker didn’t disappoint, averaging 11.7 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.3 assists over the course of six games.

Apart from his offensive prowess, the 27-year-old also adopted the role of an on-ball defender, something he isn’t known for in the NBA. During the semi-finals against Serbia, Team USA was in a dire position as they were trailing 63-76 at the start of the 4 quarter. While Stephen Curry handled the offense, Devin Booker looked to keep point guard Vasilije Micic at bay. After every point made by his team, the Suns star was on his rival to keep him distracted during the first few seconds of possession. At one point, he efficiently blocked the Serbian when Curry had the ball, allowing the NBA three-point leader to make an easy layup. Thanks to Booker’s efforts, Micic ended up with zero points and zero assists during the final quarter.

As Anthony Edwards highlighted, Booker had the potential to go for 70 points if he wanted to. After all, Devin Booker already achieved that feat during a 2017 game against the Boston Celtics, becoming only the sixth player in NBA history to do so. However, if the semi-finals matchup showed anything, it was that Devin Booker put his own offensive skills to rest to prioritize his role as a defender within the team. In the end, his defensive contributions paid off, and the secured his second consecutive Olympic gold medal.

Devin Booker’s ‘sacrifice’ did not go unnoticed by his supporters. After all, apart from the Edwards, the 4x NBA All-Star also received praise from two prominent NBA legends.

Steve Kerr and Dwyane Wade send their flowers to Devin Booker

Although he never won an Olympic gold medal as a player, head coach Steve Kerr has now successfully led two different Team USA squads to victory. During the 2024 Paris Olympics, he came under criticism for limiting the minutes of prominent players like Jayson Tatum. However, Kerr provided a reasoning behind the same by stating “It’s not what I’m not seeing from Jayson. It’s what I’ve seen from the other guys.” Given that Devin Booker went on to accumulate 132 minutes, the fourth highest amongst the 12-man squad, Kerr definitely considered him as one of the “other guys.”

During the press conference following the final with France, Kerr spent over 30 minutes answering questions about LeBron, Curry, and Durant. He also had this to say about Booker: “Devin Booker is an amazing basketball player. He was incredible throughout this entire run. What he does, play after play, is rock solid. He completely changed his role from the NBA to now. He was our unsung MVP. I just wanted to say that.” Both Curry and Durant, sitting next to Kerr, nodded in agreement.

Former Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade is most prominently known for his role in the 2008 ‘Redeem’ Team. However, having retired from professional basketball for over five years now, he flew to Paris as part of NBC’s team of commentators. Wade was so impresed with Booker’s game against Brazil that it reminded him of his own playing days. “When you’re in a role like Devin Booker, in a role like myself, in a role like Bam (Adebayo) on an Olympic team, it’s on a nightly basis.”  This remark came only a week after Wade said “I think a lot of people forget that Devin Booker is a great defender.”

The Olympics showcased Devin Booker’s versatility. As 2024-25 NBA season approaches, applying those same skills could finally allow the Suns veteran to lift the Larry O’Brien trophy.

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.