The Georgia Bulldogs received a program-changing commitment from Anthony “Ant Man” Edwards, the top-ranked shooting guard in the country. Edwards is listed at 6-5, 215 pounds and already projected by some services as the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. He currently plays at Holy Spirit Preparatory School in Atlanta, Georgia. Edwards will join four-star wings Jaykwon Walton and Toumani Camara in UGA’s 2019 Class.
Not only is this a huge addition to the team but it means more because the coaching staff fended off Kentucky, North Carolina, Kansas, and Florida State to land Edwards. Assistant coach Amir Abdur-Rahim deserves a lot of credit for this coveted pledge because he was the lead recruiter and formed the relationship to seal the deal for the Bulldogs.
Evan Daniels’ Evaluation of Edwards
Evan Daniels is a recruiting analyst at 247sports.com and has tracked Edwards’ recruitment as closely as anyone. He shared his analysis of Edwards’ capabilities on the court.
“Anthony Edwards has all the tools you look for in a two-guard prospect. He has the size (6-5), length, a strong, chiseled frame, plus tremendous athletic ability. To go with the obvious physical tools, Edwards is a dynamic, three-level scorer. He finishes well at the rim and through contact, he does a good job of creating space for shot opportunities off the dribble and continues to improve as a long-range shooter, which is evident by his 38 percent clip from three during his senior season. While we list him as a shooting guard, Edwards is at best when he has the ball in his hands. He has a similar playing style as James Harden and is very effective using ball screens, and creating off the bounce for himself and others. Edwards is tracking as a one-and-done prospect and will be in the conversation to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.”
What boost will Ant Man provide?
Edwards should get the Bulldogs back into the NCAA Tournament next season. As of now, I would predict that Georgia would be on the eight or nine seed line.
Ant Man will be the center of attention for many defenses which will free up Nicolas Claxton and Rayshaun Hammonds. If everything goes according to plan and these three guys play up to their potential, Georgia could have three first round NBA Draft Picks.
Edwards will be the downhill driver that this current Georgia team lacks in the backcourt. He will help alleviate the pressure of Teshaun Hightower and Tyree Crump handling the ball and elevate the games of those two players. Hightower and Crump are better off the ball and Edwards will be able to create plays to get those two guys open looks from beyond the arc.
If the Bulldogs add a solid grad-transfer point guard or center, then they could have a potential Top 25 team next season.
Edwards is now the face of Georgia basketball and he will help gain national exposure for the program. If the Bulldogs can capitalize in the 2019-20 season with him, then it will bode well for future recruiting classes and validate the Tom Crean era in Athens.