Anthony Edwards Was an Underrated NBA Draft Prospect
A retrospective scouting report argues Anthony Edwards' unique athletic and shot-creation traits were overlooked before the 2020 NBA Draft, explaining his
Anthony Edwards, the Minnesota Timberwolves' first overall pick in 2020, has become a superstar. Many pre-draft assessments underestimated his potential, according to a retrospective analysis of his scouting reports.
The Athletic Foundation
Edwards' physical profile was always elite. He stood 6'5 with a 6'9 wingspan and weighed 225 pounds. A reported 41.5-inch vertical confirmed his explosive power. This frame allowed for 27 dunks in his single college season. Yet, a key athletic trait was often missed.
The P3 Peak Performance Project measured his eccentric force production in the 98th percentile before the draft. This trait, shared by James Harden and Luka Dončić, relates to deceleration. It is key for the stop-start moves that now define Edwards' elite scoring.
Question Marks on Shooting
His jump shot was a major pre-draft concern. At Georgia, he shot just 29% from three-point range, placing him in the 10th percentile for his position. Scouts noted his mechanics looked solid, however. A 77% free throw percentage and 60% shooting on non-dunk rim attempts hinted at underlying touch.
Becoming one of the NBA's best shooters was far from guaranteed. The analysis notes it was a "maybe"even in an ideal scenario. ## Overlooked Shot-Creation Volume
Despite poor efficiency, Edwards' shot-creation volume in college was historically unique."learn good shot from bad shot". Many profiles urged him to attack the rim more and shoot less.
The analysis argues these judgments were premature. For a raw 18-year-old on a suboptimal team, ugly shots were natural. Self-created jump shot volume is a key indicator of superstar potential, speaking to scoring feel and the ability to create when plays break down.
Playmaking Flashes
Scouting reports did acknowledge promising playmaking flashes. Edwards averaged three rim assists per 100 possessions at Georgia, placing him in the 88th percentile. He showed particular skill with interior passes. The analysis suggests this is one area where he has not significantly outperformed expectations as a professional.
In 2020, the Timberwolves drafted an extremely young super-athlete who could both dunk on centers and launch a high volume of threes. The retrospective concludes that the foundational traits for his current stardom were present but undervalued.
