Team USA’s Olympic roster is a culmination of the best of old and young. While an experienced Olympian like Kevin Durant is taking charge, he is also being assisted by the likes of 22-year-old Anthony Edwards. Even before joining forces alongside the rest of the Team USA players, the duo had formed a bond based on mutual respect and admiration. In the words of Edwards himself, Kevin Durant is the “GOAT”, since he has “always been a fan [of] watching him play” since his childhood days.
From the training camp in Vegas to the recent matchup against Serbia, the NBA rivals seemed to have formed a sort of mentor-mentee relationship. The same was seen when Kevin Durant was captured handing some pointers to Anthony Edwards on his shooting during a training session. Their mutual bond, combined with the individual prowess with which they dominate the court, has raised the unusual query: Are Anthony Edwards and Kevin Durant related?
The short answer is, no.
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While details about his father are unknown, reports highlight that Anthony Edwards was born in Atlanta, the third child to a woman named Chrisha Yvette Edwards. Sadly, both Chrisha and Anthony’s grandmother, Shirley, passed away when he was just 14. As a result, the teenager would end up getting raised by his elder siblings. Amongst the limited information that Anthony Edwards knew about his father was that he was the one who bestowed the iconic ‘Ant-Man’ nickname on him and that he himself was an experienced basketball athlete.
via Reuters
Similar to Edwards, Kevin Durant’s father, Wayne Pratt, was also not a major part of his son’s early life. However, he did reconnect with Kevin when the latter was 13 years of age. From accompanying him to basketball tournaments across the country to cheering him on even after Kevin Durant made the NBA, Pratt did his best to make up for his past lapses.
In Pratt’s absence, the young Kevin Durant could always rely on his mother Wanda Durant, also referred to as “The Real MVP” by the player. Furthermore, like Edwards, the future Suns star had the support of his brother Tony. Later on, Kevin would gain two half-siblings, Brianna and Rayvonne, who like to remain out of the spotlight.
via Imago
Along with having different parents and siblings, Anthony Edwards and Kevin Durant originated from different places. The Timberwolves star was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, while the two-time NBA champion spent his early days in Washington DC. Furthermore, when put together, both players look far from being siblings.
If there is any NBA player with whom Anthony Edwards can be linked, in terms of looks, it is certainly Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan. However, while not much is known about Edwards’ father, we know that his name is Roger Caruth, and not ‘His Airness.’
Despite the No 1 option claim, Anthony Edwards admits getting ‘butterflies’ when imagining playing alongside Kevin Durant
Possessing a quite noticeable competitive drive, Anthony Edwards is not someone who would look to put himself over another player. According to his college coach Tom Crean, the player is “respectful, but he’s never in awe” when looking to fit in with the other members of the Team USA roster. However, he makes an exception towards the restrained feeling when it comes to Kevin Durant.
In an interview with ‘The Athletic’ reporter Joe Vardon dated July 12, the 22-year-old admitted being the most excited about Kevin Durant’s return to the Olympic roster. 12 years after Durant played alongside a young rookie by the name of Anthony Davis, Edwards was more than glad to take his namesake’s place this time around.
“I can’t wait to play alongside him,” said Anthony Edwards when discussing the chance to play alongside the veteran. “I definitely still got butterflies there waiting for that to happen.”
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The above remarks came a couple of days before Edwards touched base on his role with Team USA. With a display of confidence, he admitted, “I’m still the number 1 option. I mean, you might all look at it differently. I don’t look at it differently.”
However, hours later, he would call out Kevin Durant to be the main ‘alpha’ in a separate interview. This goes on to show that if there is one player for whom he’s willing to put himself on a lower pedestal, it’s Kevin Durant.
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Before you go, do not forget to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.
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