Anthony Edwards is without a doubt a legend of the coming age of basketball. But is he presently the best among team USA’s 12-men roster for the 2024 Olympics? Well, Edwards seems to be quite confident about that. In his recent interview, he left the basketball community divided in its opinion. The roster includes LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, Jayson Tatum, Kawhi Leonard, Devin Booker, Jrue Holiday, Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, Bam Adebayo and Tyrese Haliburton.

Former NBA star Kendrick Perkins sees no issue with ‘Ant Man’s statement. “I ain’t mad at him. What else he’s supposed to say?” said Perkins. The ex-NBA star has praised Edwards on earlier occasions as well. One such came on ‘Pat McAfee Show’, where he stated the Minnesota Timberwolves star to be the best young leader in the game of basketball, who may be 22 years old but has an old soul.

In another instance, Perk stirred controversy with his claim that he “never played with a young great player like that.” Although he emphasized he means no disrespect to his former teammates like Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and James Harden. As for the Wolves star’s recent claim, Isaiah Thomas too showed his support by commenting a bunch of ‘100’ emojis. While a huge portion of the comment section loved Edwards’ confidence in himself, many termed it as just overconfidence.

The ex-CFL star Daryll Clark was somewhat among the latter ones. “He’s definitely joking,” Clark commented. Notably, during the media interaction, ‘Ant Man’ had stated himself as still being “the number one option.” He further added that others may look at it differently, but he does not. “I just go out there and be myself. Shoot my shots, play defense, and they gotta fit in and play around me. That’s how I feel,” Edwards then said.

Anthony Edwards has always exuded high confidence which he backs with his efficient gameplay. But the 22-year-old stating himself as the number one option on a roster that includes players like Durant, LeBron, and Curry among others could easily be perceived as an overstatement. Especially considering that coach Steve Kerr has not yet decided on his starting five. 

“Good problem to have”: Kerr on not deciding on starting 5 for the 2024 Olympics

As per AP News, Kerr stated in an interview that all 12 players on the US basketball team for the Paris Olympics will someday be in the Hall of Fame. So it’s difficult choosing 5 players out of these 12, but he believes the key is to find combinations that click with focus on finding two-way lineups that can be effective at both ends.     

“It’s a good problem to have,” Kerr said on having this difficulty of choosing among the 12 best players. However, that ain’t all he further mentioned their second big job in Las Vegas is to just ask all 12 guys to fully commit to the goal of winning. “A gold medal, no matter what it looks like, no matter who’s playing,” he added.

Notably, the team USA is presently training in Las Vegas ahead of a five-game exhibition schedule as they prepare for the Paris Olympics later this month. The team’s first exhibition will be in Vegas against Canada on July 10. Following this, they will have games against Australia, Serbia, South Sudan, and Germany before traveling to France.

Stay tuned for more such updates. And to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video.