Tag: georgia hoops

Anthony Edwards throws down poster dunk

The Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Anthony Edwards (University of Georgia) dunked on Yuta Watanabe in an incredible highlight.

The Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Anthony Edwards is off to a great start to his basketball career. Edwards, who is the No. 1 pick out of the University of Georgia, has looked explosive and is improving each and every game.

Edwards dropped some jaws with an incredible dunk last night. He deserves an invitation to the slam dunk contest as a part of the NBA All-Star weekend.

Anthony Edwards threw down the best dunk of his young NBA career against Yuta Watanabe and the Toronto Raptors. Here’s the poster dunk that could end up as the top dunk of the NBA season:

What a highlight for Anthony Edwards. The Raptors went on to defeat the Timberwolves 86-81 in one of the lower scoring games of the NBA season.

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NBA legend Dwayne Wade has high praise for former Georgia Bulldog ‘Ant-man’ Edwards

Anthony Edwards took Georgia basketball by storm when he signed with coach Tom Crean and the Bulldogs as the highest-rated prospect in UGA hoops history. He went on to win SEC Freshman of the Year and earned All-Freshman team honors in his only year …

Anthony Edwards took Georgia basketball by storm when he signed with coach Tom Crean and the Bulldogs as the highest-rated prospect in UGA hoops history.

He went on to win SEC Freshman of the Year and earned All-Freshman team honors in his only year in Athens before becoming the Georgia basketball’s first NBA No. 1 overall pick, cementing his name in UGA athletics history books.

But, of course, ‘Ant’ didn’t stop there. He went to the Minnesota Timberwolves as the No. 1 pick and has proved he belonged there.

So far, the rookie leads all first-year players averaging 14.6 points per game while averaging  3.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists per contest.

‘Ant’ has made such an impact already that NBA legend Dwayne Wade, widely considered one of the best two-guards in NBA history, had strong words for Edwards’ play.

“I definitely think he can be a better player than I was. He has all the tools.” – Dwayne Wade

Anytime a 13-time All Star, who is one of the best players ever at his position, calls you out and praises you for being better than him – things are looking great.

You can catch Edwards and the Timberwolves’ next game versus the Toronto Raptors on Fox Sports and NBA League pass on Friday at 9 p.m. ET.

Anthony Edwards has impressive game against Lebron James and Lakers

Former Georgia basketball star Anthony Edwards goes for a career night against Lebron James and Lakers in their second career matchup.

Two No. 1 overall NBA Draft selections went at it Tuesday night in a very exciting matchup.  Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers got the best of former Georgia guard Anthony Edwards and his Minnesota Timberwolves, but not without a fight.

Edwards, who was selected first overall by the Timberwolves in the 2020 NBA Draft, put on a show against arguably the greatest basketball player to ever walk the planet, dropping a career-high 28 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks and 1 steal.

Midway through the third quarter, tied up at 68 a piece, Edwards lined up James and cashed a three pointer right in his grill to put Minnesota up three.  You could see Edwards’ excitement oozing out of him after hitting a shot most kids can only dream of.

WATCH:

Lebron closed the gap and took care of business, winning by a score of 112-104.  He finished with 30 points, 13 rebounds and 7 assists on 65% shooting.

Edwards is playing very well so far, averaging 14.6 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.4 assists.  He still trails fellow rookie LaMelo Ball, who leads all rookies in points, rebounds and assists per game.  Edwards is currently second in rookie points per game, trailing Ball by just a mere .05 points.

Georgia basketball hits buzzer beater to defeat Kentucky

The Georgia Bulldogs hit a game-winning lay up to defeat the Kentucky Wildcats 63-62.

The Georgia Bulldogs hit a game-winning lay up to defeat the Kentucky Wildcats 63-62. Georgia Bulldogs guard P.J. Horne hit the big shot to win with under two seconds left.

Entering the contest Georgia had lost 14 consecutive games against the Wildcats. Here’s a look at P.J. Horne’s game-winner for UGA:

P.J. Horne transferred to Georgia to be closer to home. The Virginia Tech transfer made Georgia basketball history with his shot to defeat Kentucky.

Georgia basketball is now 9-4 on the season, but is only 2-4 in SEC play. John Calipari and Kentucky are 4-9 in their worst start to a season in quite some time. The Wildcats are 3-3 in conference action.

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Mar 7, 2020; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Tom Crean talks to the players on a time out against LSU Tigers during the second half at Maravich Assembly Center.  Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia basketball off to best start since 1982-83 Final Four team

Tom Crean and the Georgia men’s basketball team are off to an impressive 7-0 season start.

The Georgia men’s basketball team is off to its best start since the 1982-83 Final Four team.  The Dawgs have come out hot in 2020, winning seven games straight to put them at 7-0.

Head coach Tom Crean is now in his third season with the Bulldogs and is already completely shifting the culture of Georgia basketball.  He recruited Anthony Edwards, who went No. 1 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft and now has Georgia undefeated so far in 2020.

Crean is showcasing a very balanced roster of talent, having five players average ten or more points.  Sophomore forward Toumani Camara is leading the charge for the Dawgs in the stat book, averaging 14.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.  He is also shooting the ball efficiently at 52.9%.

Senior guard Justin Kier is finding his role and stepping up big for the Bulldogs, averaging 12 points on 48.1% shooting, 4.8 rebounds and 4 assists through seven games.

So far, the Dawgs have beat Florida A&M, North Georgia, Jacksonville, Montana, Samford, Cincinnati and Northeastern.  This is definitely the easier portion of their schedule, as they have a full slate of SEC matchups coming up that will put them to the test.

Georgia will face the 5-3 Mississippi State Bulldogs next on Dec. 30.  ESPN’s Basketball Power Index gives UGA a 45.7% chance of coming out on top in that game.

Twitter reacts as Timberwolves pick UGA’s Anthony Edwards first

Social media reacted as the Minnesota Timberwolves drafted Georgia Bulldogs star Anthony Edwards number one overall in the 2020 NBA Draft.

The Minnesota Timberwolves drafted Georgia Bulldogs standout basketball player Anthony Edwards number one overall in the 2020 NBA Draft. Edwards is the first Georgia basketball prospect to be selected with the top pick.

Edwards is considered one of the top NBA prospects to ever come out of the University of Georgia. In fact, Edwards is the highest selected played in UGA basketball history. NBA legend Dominique Wilkins was the previous record. Wilkins was picked third overall in the 1982 NBA Draft.

Here’s how social media reacted to the selection of Georgia Bulldogs star Anthony Edwards:

It is a memorable day for Anthony Edwards, who honored members of his family:

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Georgia’s Anthony Edwards goes No. 1 in latest 2020 NBA mock draft

Georgia basketball SG Anthony Edwards is projected to be selected first overall in the 2020 NBA Draft by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Star Georgia shooting guard Anthony Edwards declared for the NBA draft this past September, following an absolutely electric freshman year at UGA.

Edwards averaged 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists for the Dawgs during the 2019-2020 season.  He has been in the talks of being a top three pick in the draft this year, along with Memphis center James Wiseman and the Illawarra Hawks point guard LaMelo Ball.

In NBC’s final version of its 2020 NBA Mock Draft Edwards goes No. 1 overall to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

NBC’s Top 5:

  • 5. Cleveland Cavaliers: Obi Toppin (Dayton, PF)
  • 4. Chicago Bulls: Deni Avdija (Maccabi Tel Aviv, SG/SF)
  • 3. Charlotte Hornets: LaMelo Ball (Illawarra Hawks, PG/SG)
  • 2. Golden State Warriors: James Wiseman (Memphis, C)
  • 1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards (Georgia, SG)

There isn’t quite a consensus on who is the best of these three but Edwards, Ball and Wiseman present the biggest upside in the draft.

Here’s what NBC’s Tyler Byrum and Chase Hughes had to say about Edwards going No. 1 over the other two prospects:

Despite all the momentum for LaMelo Ball to be the first pick, we are sticking with Edwards who presents a super high ceiling due to his explosive athleticism and makes a perfect fit within the core Minnesota is building around. Fit often doesn’t determine the first overall pick, but it may in a year like this with little separating the top three guys. Edwards could be an ideal complement to Karl-Anthony Towns and D’Angelo Russell as a slasher on the wing.

Edwards would fit in with Minnesota very well.  They have their stars in point guard D’Angelo Russell and center Karl Anthony Towns but could use some serious help at the shooting guard position.

Edwards would provide the Timberwolves with a great wing threat that could add a whole new aspect to their offensive scheme.

If Edwards is to go No.1, he will be the first Georgia Bulldog to ever do so.  The closest to that accomplishment are Kentavious Caldwell-Pope at the No. 8 pick in 2013 and Dominique Wilkins at the No. 3 pick in 1982.

The 2020 NBA Draft begins tonight at 7:00 P.M. ET on ESPN.

Anthony Edwards projected to go No. 3 in 2020 NBA mock draft

Georgia G Anthony Edwards is projected by Rookie Wire to go No. 3 overall in the 2020 NBA Draft to the Charlotte Hornets.

The 2019-20 NBA season came to a close this October as the Los Angeles Lakers were crowned champions of the world for a record tying 17th time.  With the end of last season here, now it’s time for teams to focus on the future and look towards the ever so close 2020 NBA Draft.

Starting just last week, team personnel have been allowed to visit potential draft prospects in their hometowns in order to make evaluations.

For the first time in seven years, the Georgia Bulldogs have a lottery pick in the mix.  Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, who just won his first title with the Lakers, was selected 8th overall in 2013 by the Detroit Pistons.

Rookie Wire released their 2020 NBA Mock Draft 6.0 earlier this Thursday, giving great insight as to what teams are thinking based on their draft position and needs.

Of that list of 60 picks, Anthony Edwards is projected to go No. 3 overall to the Charlotte Hornets.

The list has two superstars in front of Edwards in the NBL’s LaMelo Ball going No. 1 to the Minnesota Timberwolves and Iowa State’s Tyrese Haliburton going No. 2 to the Golden State Warriors.

Here’s what Rookie Wire had to say about Edwards and the fit in Charlotte:

“The Charlotte Hornets need a bona fide star on their roster, and that kind of potential is exactly what Anthony Edwards offers.

The 19-year-old wing is someone whose teams have been built around him, boasting an absurdly high usage rate through AAU and college competition. But the Hornets can give him the keys to the team as their franchise alpha, riding with the highs and letting the lows be learning experiences for his development.

During his freshman year at Georgia, his scoring output increased as the season progressed. He scored extremely well within five feet of the rim, and he can be an above-average defender by virtue of his athleticism alone.”

Many experts see Edwards going No. 1 or No. 2 behind Ball but the fit does seem right in Charlotte.  They’ve had a lack in scoring for years, especially now that Kemba Walker is no longer with them.

Edwards averaged 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game in his one season at Georgia.

The 2020 Draft is scheduled for November 18th and will be aired live on ESPN.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope looks to capture first NBA Finals tonight

Former Georgia basketball star Kentavious Caldwell-Pope looks to capture his first NBA Finals tonight as the Lakers lead the Heat 3-1.

Former Georgia basketball star Kentavious Caldwell-Pope looks to capture his first NBA Finals ring tonight as the Los Angeles Lakers lead the Miami Heat 3-1.  Game Five tips off tonight at 9:00 PM ET on ABC.

Caldwell-Pope has averaged 9.3 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists this season, blossoming into an important role player for superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

Lakers president Jeannie Buss has made it clear she wants to establish the Lakers future foundation now and part of that future is Caldwell-Pope.  Caldwell-Pope signed a 2-year deal prior to the season that is worth nearly $17 million.

Caldwell-Pope had a big moment in Game One of the series.  Down 23-10 to the Heat in the first quarter, he buried a pair of threes and then added a few more points in the paint to cut the early deficit.  That was a crucial momentum swing that helped get the Lakers back on track for the game to close out the Heat.

On that moment, Lakers’ star center Anthony Davis said: “KCP saved us.”

Caldwell-Pope is in his seventh year in the league and shooting his best field goal percentage (46.7) as well as his best three-point field goal percentage (38.5).  He has been a great spark for Los Angeles when they need it most.

Caldwell-Pope, who was named SEC Player of the Year in 2013 with the Bulldogs, is now just one win away from being an NBA champion forever.

NBA lottery will impact Anthony Edwards’ career

Georgia Bulldogs standout basketball player Anthony Edwards’ NBA career will be swayed by the NBA’s Draft Lottery.

Georgia Bulldogs standout basketball player Anthony Edwards has a big week coming up. His NBA career and his next basketball home will be partially determined by Thursday’s NBA Draft Lottery.

Edwards is considered one of the top NBA prospects to ever come out of the University of Georgia. He’s projected to be a top five pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

The Detroit Pistons, Atlanta Hawks, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Cleveland Cavaliers all have a greater than ten percent chance of landing the number one overall pick.

Edwards could land in a variety of different situations. The Atlanta Hawks are Edwards’ hometown team and would be the preferred landing spot for many Georgia Bulldogs fans.

Contrarily, Edwards could end up with the Golden State Warriors, who are anticipated to return to being NBA title contenders next season. He’d have excellent mentors with the Warriors. Golden State will consider trading their top draft pick for a superstar, so that opens up even more possibilities for Edwards.

This NBA Draft doesn’t have a standout superstar like previous years. This combined with the endless possibilities of the NBA Draft Lottery mean that much of Anthony Edwards’ basketball career is hanging in the balance. Being in the right situation makes all the difference for stars in today’s NBA.

The 2020 NBA Draft takes place on Oct. 16.

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Nov 26, 2019; Lahaina, HI, USA; Georgia Bulldogs guard Anthony Edwards speaks with Michigan State Spartans coach Tom Izzo after the game during round two of the Maui Jim Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center. Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports