A look at how Anthony Edwards has set the Basketball World Cup alight

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The FIBA Basketball World Cup is hotting up, with the final on September 10 rapidly approaching. We are at the quarter-final stage at the time of writing, but it is still pre-tournament favourites, the United States of America, who are expected to lift the Naismith Trophy at the Mall of Asia Arena for a record-breaking sixth time this weekend.

Aside from a shock defeat to Lithuania in the second round, when the United States were on the wrong end of the 110-104 scoreline after underestimating their European counterparts, the USA have won the rest of their games with relative ease to reach the last eight — beating New Zealand (99-72), Greece (109-81), Jordan (110-62) and Montenegro (85-73).

When you consider that the United States team features four NBA All-Stars — including 2023 selections Anthony Edwards, Tyrese Haliburton and Jaren Jackson Jr. — it’s no surprise they are the odds-on favourites to regain the Naismith Trophy from the grasp of Spain in the FIBA World Cup 2023 betting odds.

It might not be that straightforward, however, as Canada are looking very dangerous in the pursuit of what would be their first World Cup success. Regardless of whether the United States go on to win it from here or not, a number of their players have had breakthrough tournaments — arguably none more so than 22-year-old Edwards.

The Shooting Guard had a career-best year for the Minnesota Timberwolves last season, averaging 24.6 points per game (PPG) and 4.4 assists per game (APG) as he secured his maiden NBA All-Stars call-up and he is still clearly riding the crest of a wave in Asia — with his performances at the Basketball World Cup having both US fans and neutrals on the edge of their seats.

‘The Ant-Man’ has been pivotal for the United States at the World Cup, scoring double-figure points in all five of his games thus far. He scored 14 points and registered three points against New Zealand in his nation’s opener before a performance of a similar standard against Greece — scoring 13 points and three assists.

Edwards then led the United States scoring in their final first-round encounter against Jordan, scoring 22 points and setting up four buckets in his side’s extremely comfortable 110-62 win. He added another 17 points and an assist to his stats sheet in the win over Montenegro, but it was against Lithuania that he racked up his best score.

The Baltic state pulled off what will likely go down as the biggest shock of the tournament with that aforementioned 110-104 win over the United States, but not much of the blame can be placed on Edwards as he scored an impressive 35 points and two assists in what was a fantastic individual performance.

The 22-year-old is going to be a key player for his country in the knockout stages of the Basketball World Cup and if the United States do manage to justify favouritism and go on to win the Naismith Cup for the sixth time, then Edwards will surely be crowned the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).