Anthony Edwards wants people to stop asking if he's the face of the NBA.
Anthony Edwards is one of the most exciting young talents in the NBA today and with that status comes a certain level of expectation and even, assumption.
At just 25-years-old, the Minnesota Timberwolves star is a thrilling young player who has dominated both highlight reels and the NBA media space as a whole.
As the leader of the Timberwolves, who have consistently found themselves in the playoffs even if they haven't made it all the way, Edwards has put a spotlight on himself that looks to only grow as he gets older, better and as the old guard of the NBA gradually retires their way out of the league.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) is defended by Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun (0) in the first quarter at Target Center. Matt Blewett-Imagn ImagesBut with that growing spotlight also comes a certain line of questioning, one that Edwards has continuously tried to shut down and skirt away from, but has consistently pursued.
What Is the "Face of the League?"
That line of questioning being if Edwards sees himself as the "face of the league."
Being the face of the league is a purely artificial title propagated solely within the media space and it isn't even a consistent title.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (1) and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) hug after the game at Target Center. Matt Krohn-USA TODAY SportsFor the past two decades and more, LeBron James has been the face of the league, though Steph Curry seemed to be right there with him at times. Before James and Curry, Kobe Bryant stood out as the face of the league and Michael Jordan before him.
The face of the league is essentially the player that is most recognizable, often most successful and is the figure that represents the NBA as a whole, even to people who may not be familiar with basketball.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) celebrates after making a three point shot as time expires in the first quarter against the San Antonio Spurs during game three of the second round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Target Center. Jesse Johnson-Imagn ImagesEdwards is Tired of the Question
With the new generation of players coming into their own, the NBA has been searching for it's next face, but Edwards has repeatedly tried to deny that it's him and in a recent interview with Heavy, he said that being asked if he's the face of the league or not is one of the questions that he's the most tired of being asked.
He has been asked that question often and each time he's asked, he points to another player that he thinks is a better candidate.
Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) shoots against San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) in the first half at Frost Bank Center. Daniel Dunn-Imagn ImagesIn media availabilities during All-Star Weekend, he said that star San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama was a better candidate for that title and when he was asked about it even more recently during Fanatics Fest in July, he said that a face of the league should also be a champion of the league, and that Jalen Brunson would fit the bill.
Still, it's not likely that people will stop asking Edwards that question, no matter how tired of it he is. The real question now is if and when Edwards will accomplish the kind of feats that he thinks qualifies a player for the position and if adding those accolades to his career will finally make him accept the title that people are so intent on giving to him.
