Sports
2020 NBA Draft Rumors: Anthony Edwards ‘Labeled a Boom-or-Bust Prospect’
Carmen Mandato/Getty ImagesGeorgia Bulldogs shooting guard Anthony Edwards has reportedly been “labeled a boom-or-bust prospect” ahead of the 2020 NBA draft.Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer reported the update Wednesday and noted Edwards’ “feel for the game is lacking” as part of his breakdown for why he ranked French combo guard Killian Hayes as the best…
Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
Georgia Bulldogs shooting guard Anthony Edwards has reportedly been “labeled a boom-or-bust prospect” ahead of the 2020 NBA draft.
Kevin O'Connor of The Ringer reported the update Wednesday and noted Edwards' “feel for the game is lacking” as part of his breakdown for why he ranked French combo guard Killian Hayes as the best prospect in this year's draft class.
Bleacher Report's Jonathan Wasserman ranked Edwards as the second-best player in the 2020 class on his March 13 big board. Here's the complete top five:
- 1. LaMelo Ball (G, Illawarra Hawks)
- 2. Anthony Edwards (G, Georgia)
- 3. Killian Hayes (G, Ratiopharm Ulm)
- 4. Onyeka Okongwu (C, USC)
- 5. Deni Avdija (F, Maccabi Tel Aviv)
Memphis Tigers center James Wiseman, who's spent much of the year in the discussion as the possible top pick in the 2020 draft, has slid to No. 10 on Wasserman's board.
Edwards averaged 19.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.3 steals across 32 appearances as a freshman for UGA during the 2019-20 season. He shot just 40.2 percent from the field, including 29.4 percent from three, and his turnover average (2.7) nearly matched his assist total.
“Edwards' athleticism and high-level shot-making skills can translate to instant offense and massive outputs. His shot selection also leads to poor shooting performances and wasted possessions,” Wasserman wrote. “Edwards' physical tools, quickness, bounce and production, as well as the ease with which he can create and make shots all point to a surefire NBA scoring machine.”
An NBA scout provided a similarly optimistic view to Marc J. Spears of The Undefeated in January.
“[Edwards] is a pro, everything about him. Athleticism. Skill. The ability to score,” the scout said. “He can defend. He is one of those guys that will be better on the next level because he will be playing with better teammates. When he walks onto the floor, you have the feeling that you're watching a pro. And then the game starts and he shows you he is one with his versatility and skill.”
The 6'5″, 225-pound guard has all the tools to become a star at the next level, but his shot selection must improve significantly for that to happen. The uncertainty about his offensive efficiency is why there are question marks about exactly where he'll land in the draft.
That said, Edwards is a virtual lock for the top 10 and will likely end up somewhere in the top five with a team betting on his potential to become a true game-changing scorer at the next level.
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