Q&A: 2020 five-star Anthony Edwards has an early leader
WASHINGTON, D.C. – In one of the top scoring barrages of the year, Cameron Reddish and Anthony Edwards squared off in a battle between the present and the future. While the present came out victorious as Reddish finished with 53 points, Edwards was no slouch of his own and scored 30 of his own. Following his team's contest with Westtown, Edwards discussed his mentality, Reddish’s sparkling performance, who he patterns his game after and an early leader within his recruitment.
COREY EVANS: What is your mentality out there?
ANTHONY EDWARDS: Kill. I don’t care who I am playing against.
CE: You and Cam were going at each other a little bit. Talk to me about that, especially how you’re just a sophomore going up against a five-star senior.
AE: He is one of a kind. He is nasty. But, you know, I can’t back down. He puts his pants on the same way that I do. I just gotta go after him the same way that I go at everybody else.
CE: Watching you play, who do you pattern yourself after?
AE: I watch James Harden a lot. Bradley Beal and C.J. McCollum, also, with the way that they get separation and handle the ball off of screens and get to the rim. I watch Harden with how he gets to the basket with creating space and the use of the Euro-step.
CE: You look to be more than just a scorer; you’re a pretty underrated passer.
AE: I am a very underrated passer. People don’t think I can pass the ball.
CE: You seem like you want to prove some things.
AE: I just want learn how to win more and become a leader. I dislike to lose. Sometimes you just have to deal with it, but Cam Reddish is just a monster.
CE: Is he the best that you have ever played against?
AE: Yes, by far. He should be the No. 1 player in 2018, in my opinion.
CE: What makes him stand out and be so unique?
AE: The same that I do, which is score the ball, but it is more efficient. The way that he shoots the ball, it is just crazy. That was just outrageous. I was all up in his space. I was mad but you know, I had to go back at him.
CE: On to recruiting. Who all has offered you so far and is involved?
AE: I can’t remember them all but the school that is on me the hardest is Florida State. Coach (Leonard) Hamilton, he is a great coach. He is just telling me to keep working and keep pushing; get ready to go to the next level.
CE: What sticks out to you about Florida State?
AE: I like the coaching situation. They don’t change over there and it is a great environment.
CE: Being from Atlanta and playing for the same travel program (Atlanta Xpress), do you know FSU freshman M.J. Walker at all?
AE: Yeah, that is my guy. He is just telling me that it is a beautiful campus, nice, and great coaching. I might take a visit up there during Christmas break. I don’t know yet. I have to see what my schedule is like.
CE: Have you been anywhere?
AE: I have been there before, some time last year. I have also been to Auburn and Clemson. That is really it.
CE: What is going to be important for you at the end of the day?
AE: School work. I have to stay strong academically, keep my mind on the right things, don’t lose focus, and just keep grinding and working hard.