“In Position to Pass Up Ja…Zion”: Former NBA Champ Lays Down Massive Expectation on 22YO Team USA Starlet

The NBA witnessed two generational talents enter the league in 2019. Going No.1 and No.2 on the draft boards in 2019, Zion Williamson and Ja Morant took the league by storm with their skills. However, the very next draft class witnessed another superstar enter the league, who has now been tasked to lead the legendary Team USA at the 2023 FIBA World Cup. The tournament has had a strong hold on the attention of the basketball world this summer. The highly anticipated tournament will feature 32 teams battling it out for the coveted gold medal. Among them is the most dominant team in the event’s history, Team USA.

The 2020 Draft sensation has the responsibility of holding up this glorious reputation of Team USA this year. Surprisingly, he has already shown tremendous promise. A former NBA champion took notice of this as he drew comparisons with Morant and Williamson of the 22-year-old.

An NBA Champion draws massive expectations for a 22YO Team USA starlet

Ja Morant and Zion Williamson are two of the most promising athletes in the NBA currently. Despite their controversial life off-court, they have proven that they are forces to be reckoned with when they take on NBA action. For anyone to draw parallels to these phenomenal talents in the NBA is overwhelming. However, Minnesota Timberwolves star, Anthony Edwards made it look completely natural.

Anthony Edwards has had the basketball world awestruck with his performance at the FIBA World Cup so far. In fact, his performance has been so spectacular that it even had NBA champion, Richard Jefferson hailing him with praise. Jefferson took to his podcast to set massive expectations for the 22-year-old after watching his World Cup brilliance.

“I think Anthony Edwards definitely has a chance to be super special… I think he has – in this summer, I think he’s in a position to pass up Ja, to pass up Zion,” he strongly claimed, giving Edwards the edge over the Memphis Grizzlies guard and the New Orleans Pelicans forward.

He further added, “When you start thinking about the young dudes in this league… Anthony Edwards seems like that guy and it’s so easy. He jumps so easy, he shoots it so easy… the fact that all of these guys have quickly deferred to him as the alpha… that man, he’s gonna be an alpha for a long time.”

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Jefferson had his say about Edwards’ potential on his podcast. However, the Timberwolves star will have a tough task of living up to these expectations when the tournament kicks off. Will Edwards deliver for Team USA?

Edwards has a long road ahead

The 2023 FIBA World Cup has only held its preparation games so far. However, Anthony Edwards has already impressed the world in these matchups. His performances so far have elevated the buzz around his potential, making him a global superstar already. But the real test of his abilities lies ahead, as the tournament kicks off.

The Timberwolves guard has put up incredible numbers in the preparation games so far, raising everyone’s expectations. Over the five-game showcase, Edwards has averaged 18.8 points on 50% shooting and grabbed 4.6 rebounds. He also went off for a ballistic game against Team Germany where he led a stunning 16-point comeback. He put up 34 points in the game, also drawing parallels to the legendary Michael Jordan through an iconic fadeaway jumper.

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Team USA will take on the world to assert their dominance in the World Cup yet again. The team would look to make a resurgent comeback this year following their humiliation in 2019. With the stakes at an all-time high, they will rely heavily on the 22-year-old to lead them to glory.