Anthony Edwards Dunked While Talking Trash to USA Teammate, and Fans Loved It

It took very little time for Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards to establish himself as a force in the NBA after Minnesota selected him with the first pick of the 2020 draft.

In 2021, he was an All-Rookie selection. By 2023, he was an All-Star and a 24.6-point-per-game scorer on a playoff team.

But it’s Edwards’s quotability that arguably has made him a fan favorite inside and outside the Land of 10,000 Lakes. In 2022, he acted in the Netflix film Hustle, portraying a trash-talking blue-chip prospect.

Whether Edwards needed to act for the role is an open question, as the ex-Georgia standout proved in a United States basketball practice Wednesday ahead of the FIBA World Cup. He was filmed throwing down a vicious dunk while calling out Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr..

“Jump!” Edwards yelled. “Ain’t you Defensive Player of the Year?”

"Jump! Ain't you Defensive Player of the Year?"

Anthony Edwards to Jaren Jackson Jr. 😅🔥

(via @usabasketball) pic.twitter.com/9XCHU4W9Hj
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 16, 2023

The remark drew attention and laughs from fans. Some pointed out the similarity to Hall of Fame guard Michael Jordan’s national team needling from yesteryear.

https://t.co/Ls0z7nva5P pic.twitter.com/D4zhP2x35Q
— 🦫✨America Is Musty✨🦫 (@DragonflyJonez) August 16, 2023

Michael Jordan Jr. really plays for the Wolves https://t.co/Tda1sxQZYa
— Barflaan Tedoe 🇱🇷 (@The_Barftender) August 16, 2023

Others immediately compared Edwards’s real-life behavior to his actions as character Kermit Wilts in Hustle.

Bro wasn’t acting in hustle 😂 https://t.co/00tftkG2ps
— Ryan Johnson (@ay_its_ryan) August 16, 2023

kermit wilts wasn’t a performance. it’s just who he is https://t.co/4OfB8Agjka
— World Market® exile (@NotCigar_) August 16, 2023

Timberwolves fans, meanwhile, could only marvel at the figure leading their team.

The type of leadership this team needs https://t.co/uMdsab02dk
— Midwest Hook 10.5 (@MidwestHook) August 16, 2023

The U.S. is scheduled to open World Cup play on Aug. 26 against New Zealand.