Watch: Anthony Edwards monster slam dunk
Minnesota Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards became an internet sensation following his monster slam dunk in the second-half of the Wolves 114-104 victory over the Utah Jazz, Monday night in Salt Lake City.
Driving down the lane, Edwards went up the ball in his right hand and smashed it through the rim while elevating above and through the defense of Utah’s John Collins.
Edwards attacked the basket with such force that his off hand collided with Collins’ cheekbone, leaving both players a bit banged up.
“I was thinking I was going to miss it because I wasn’t close to the rim, but somehow God willed it in for me,” said Edwards, who scored 25 of his 32 points after halftime.
Edward grew up in Atlanta and was given the nickname "Ant" by his father. It stuck and now he is know as the Ant Man. He began his high school career at Therrell High, but transferred to Holy Spirit Prep and reclassified from the Class of 2019 to the Class of 2020. He won the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA) Class AAA state title while with Trinity Prep and was named a McDonald's All-American.
Edwards eventually reclassified back to the Class of 2019 and accepted a scholarship, as five-star recruit, to the University of Georgia. He chose the Bulldogs over Florida State, Kansas, Kentucky and North Carolina, among others.
He spent one season at Georgia, earning 2nd-Team All-SEC and SEC Rookie of the Year honors. He then entered the NBA Draft where the Timberwolves selected him with the first overall pick in 2020. He was an NBA All-Rookie First Team pick in 2021 and was named an NBA All-Star in 2023 and 2024.