The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Ant Man might not be done with Dogs just yet
Young star unsure, but admits he’d like chance to mature with UGA.
ATHENS — Anthony Edwards is already thinking like a pro.
Georgia’s star freshman known as “Ant Man” was one of the first frontline collegiate players to declare postgame handshakes and autograph sessions with fans off limits because of the threat of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Edwards sent out a tweet and an Instagram post last week apologizing and asking for understanding.
A week later, NBA locker rooms are now closed to fans and media and, internationally at least, sporting events are either being canceled or conducted without spectators.
“I’m going to continue to do fist-bumps,” Edwards said after the Bulldogs’ practiced Tuesday before leaving for Nashville and the SEC Tournament. “But no autographs or anything like that, not too many people touching, putting their arms around me to take pictures. You know, keep your distance. I’m not try
ing to get sick or anything like that.”
Edwards has about 40 million reasons to not want to get sick. That’s how many dollars last year’s No. 1 NBA draft selection Zion Williamson signed for, after just one season at Duke. Many projections have Edwards being in that position this June, when the draft convenes in New York.
That said, after being named SEC Freshman of the Year by league coaches and SEC Newcomer of the Year by The Associated Press on Tuesday, and getting ready to play what most believe will be his final games as a Georgia Bulldog, Edwards
insists he has not made any decisions regarding his athletic future beyond tonight’s game against Ole Miss in the first round of the SEC Tournament.
“I mean, I don’t know what I’m doing yet,” Edwards said, with emphasis on the word I. “I know you see the projections and what everybody says, but personally, I don’t even know what I’m doing yet. I’m still an 18-year-old kid, so I haven’t thought about anything like that.”
While it’s probably not truthful for Edwards to say he hasn’t thought about it, it is true that he is 18 years old. In fact, with an August birthday, he is the youngest player on a Georgia team that is one of the most youthful in America. He’s one of nine freshmen.
So, Edwards reasons, there
is much for him to gain and to learn by coming back to college for another year.
“I’m still young,” said Edwards, who is the nation’s highest-scoring freshman at 19.5 points per game. “I feel like I’m still immature. I’ve got a lot of growing up to do. And I love my teammates. They’re like brothers to me. So, I’m going to feel really, really bad if I do leave. But I’m definitely thinking about coming back another year.”
The reality is there will be plenty of time to contemplate all that. The NBA’s draft declaration date for underclassmen is not until April 26. So, technically, Edwards has until then to make an informed decision and submit the necessary paperwork.
Players at Duke, Kentucky and Kansas do this all the
time. But it was Georgia second-year coach Tom Crean who convinced Edwards that he could go to college just 65 miles away from his Atlanta home and be able to enhance his NBA stock just as well as he could at any of those other distant outposts.
That has proved true. But as far as Edwards staying or going, Crean said he stays out of that part — for now.
“We communicate throughout the day every day,” Crean said Tuesday. “What’s going to happen is going to happen. It’s not a topic that we spend any time on. Right now it’s: What do we need to do tomorrow, what do we need to do today, the coaching points, the detail points. … There will be time for (the pro decision). I don’t think it will be that hard when the time comes.”
No, the basketball world appears to have seen all that it needs.
Edwards has averaged 33 minutes a game. While everybody talks about his scoring, which has included three games of 32 points or more, he’s also second on the team with 87 assists, second in rebounding at 5.3 per game and leads the team and is one of the best in the SEC with 43 steals.
“He does so many things that just don’t get noticed,” Crean said. “He’s one of the best screeners I’ve ever coached. He literally is. He gets people open. He likes to see his teammates score. He likes to score, but he really likes to see his teammates score and to get them open.”
While Edwards was named the SEC’s best freshman, he was not included on the coaches’ All-SEC first team that was also released Tuesday. A good argument could be made that he should have been. But the Bulldogs have struggled this season, going 15-16 overall and winning just five SEC games, and Edwards was relegated to second-team All-SEC.
If Georgia can get by Ole Miss, it will face a Florida team against which the Dogs twice held significant double-digit leads.
“We’re looking at it as a fresh start, a new beginning for us,” Edwards said. “… We’re definitely looking forward to extending the season, no matter where it is. We’re coming in here with a 0-0 mindset and taking it one game at a time.”