The stirring rise of Anthony Edwards has seen him earn a place in one of the most acclaimed USA Olympic rosters of all time. In his four years, he not only broke the Timberwolves’ dry spell but also became an emphatic force on the basketball court. It was a product of his endless confidence, something he carried into Team USA. “I’m still the No. 1 option” he infamously told the media during training camp.

He had every right to back himself. He is coming off a career season averaging 25.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists, leading the Wolves to a 50+ wins season. Ant-Man can undoubtedly thrive while being the center of attention, no matter the adversity. But is that his best role with Team USA? Not according to his college coach, Tom Crean.

Essentially Sports’ Grant Afseth spoke to the Bulldogs coach recently, who expressed his desire to see a change in his former student. No, he doesn’t want him to forego his brightly burning flames. Crean wants him to direct it toward being a hound and a point-of-attack defender, rather than the primary scorer at the Olympics.

“I think he’s got to be able to create even more off the defensive end because I think he can. I think he’s going to have to be a real defensive-minded and rebounding-minded player for this team to win the way that they can,” Crean told Afseth.

When asked for specifics, Tom Crean detailed the role he envisions Anthony Edwards having during the Olympics campaign. The collegiate head coach sees him as an on-ball stopper who won’t let ball handlers rest.

“I think in the way that they’re defending, with so much switching, I think he fits really, really well into that because he’ll fight you. He plays with strength… You’re not going to get him in tough situations inside where he won’t compete on a matchup. There’s no question he can put great pressure on the ball, but he’s also fearless,” said the Bulldogs coach.

Ant-Man showed tremendous improvements as a defender during his sensational 2023-24 NBA season. Alongside Rudy Gobert, Alexander-Walker, and other high-octane defenders, Edwards helped Minnesota stitch one of the best defenses in the league. His tenacity to stay in front of his man and use his quick reactions to rack up steals played an instrumental role in the Wolves’ transformation.

Anthony Edwards has done it for Steve Kerr before

This isn’t the first time Anthony Edwards will play in a Steve Kerr system. They collaborated on the FIBA World Cup squad when Kerr handed the keys to the 2019 number-one pick. The nine-time champion was astonished by the level of confidence Edwards had in his himself. And after his staggering rise this season, Kerr was bound to include him in the Olympic lineup.

During the previous tournament, Edwards was the leading scorer and rebounder for Team USA, the exact role Crean envisioned for him. However, to be the focal scorer on a team with KD, LeBron James and Stephen Curry is tough. Even Kerr is aware of the ample ‘offensive’ talent Team USA boasts. That’s the reason he said, “It has to be about defense”. And it’s a responsibility he left for Anthony Edwards.

“If he wants to play, he better play defense. That’s the point. The whole point of FIBA is to defend, make stops and get out and run. His on-ball defense last summer was amazing, and it helped change our team and get us better. Frankly, his off-ball defense struggled or suffered, and he needs to get better chasing shooters, staying connected, boxing out,” Kerr said ahead of the Olympics.

Edwards immediately showed these improvements, marking a testament to his obsessive work ethic. During the five exhibition games, Edwards averaged 1.6 steals per game while primarily coming off the bench. He is able to combine his defensive activity with timely shot-making and be an impact-making component for Team USA.

For the two-time All-Star, it doesn’t matter what role he plays. Anthony Edwards will guard tirelessly for 40 minutes if need be. What remains paramount and inexcusable is winning. If Ant can be a driving factor to that cause, he will be the aggressive-minded phenom he always is.