Anthony Edwards is more than excited to play for the Minnesota Timberwolves after being selected as top overall pick during the virtual 2020 National Basketball Association (NBA) Rookie Draft on Wednesday (Thursday in the Philippines).
The Georgia Bulldogs product, who became the 11th straight one-and-done player to be the No. 1 pick, said he is thrilled to team up with center-forward Karl-Anthony Towns and guard D’Angelo Russell at T-Wolves.
“I feel like I’m going to fit perfect with those guys because Russell likes to play off the ball sometimes, and I can play on the ball,” the 19-year-old Edwards said in an interview with USA TODAY.
“When he wants to play on the rock, I can play off the ball. And KAT is the best three-point shooting big man in the league. So I feel we can’t go wrong with that, a lot of pick-and-pops, pick-and-rolls and such,” he added.
Golden State Warriors, meanwhile, have shored up their frontline with the selection of seven-foot-one center James Wiseman as No. 2 overall pick. Wiseman played three games for Memphis before he was ruled ineligible for 12 games.
In his three college games, Wiseman averaged 19.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and three blocks and shot 76.9 percent from the field. He can give the Warriors a strong presence in the paint.
“I’m great at adapting on a team, so I feel very comfortable with that,” Wiseman said. “I’m ready for it. I’m preparing for it. I’m ready to go in there and play my position, play my role.”
“And just having great teammates around me that are going to teach me the game, that are going to help grow my game, I’m ready for that. I’m just prepared, fully prepared,” he added.
Charlotte Hornets, meanwhile, drafted LaMelo Ball at No. 3, Patrick Williams was picked at No. 4 by the Chicago Bulls, Isaac Okoro for Cleveland Cavaliers at No. 5, Oneyka Okongwu for Atlanta Hawks at no. 6, Killian Hayes for Detroit Pistons at No. 7, Obi Toppin for New York Knicks at No. 8, Deni Avdija for Washington Wizards at No. 9 and Jalen Smith for Phoenix Suns at No. 10.
Devin Vassell went to San Antonio Spurs at No. 11, Tyrese Haliburth to Sacramento Kings at No. 12, Kira Lewis to New Orleans Pelicans at No. 13, Aaron Nesmith to Boston Celtics at No. 14, Cole Anthony for Orlando Magic at No. 15, Isaiah Stewart for the Pistons at No. 16, Aleksej Pokusevski to Oklahoma City Thunder at No. 17, Josh Green to Dallas Mavericks at No. 18, Saddiq Bey to the Pistons at No. 19 and Precious Achiuwa to Miami Heat at 20.
Concluding the first round of the draft were Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers), Zeke Nnaji (Denver Nuggets), Leandro Bolmaro (New York Knicks), RJ Hampton (Milwaukee Bucks), Immanuel Quickley (Thunder), Payton Prichard (Boston Celtics), Udoka Azubuike (Utah Jazz), Jaden McDaniels (Los Angeles Lakers), Malachi Flynn (Toronto Raptors) and Desmond Bane (Celtics).
Commissioner Adam Silver announced the pick from ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut. The draft was originally scheduled for June 25 before multiple delays brought about by the coronavirus pandemic./PN
