The Minnesota Timberwolves are in a totally different place than where they were a year ago, and that is largely thanks to the talent of Anthony Edwards. Minnesota obviously has a strong roster from top to bottom, but it was Edwards that truly vaulted them from the ranks of mid-level Western Conference playoff team to a legitimate championship threat.

Day-one fans of the Timberwolves have seen Edwards’ greatness coming since his rookie season. Now, he has reached a level that has made his talent and impact undeniable, even to the fiercest hater or doubter. The latest reminder of just how inevitable Ant’s status as the next superstar in the NBA is comes from a special article published by Sports Illustrated.

The article pays tribute to the 50 most influential figures in sports today. Dividing these figures up into categories, Timberwolves fans will be thrilled to see Anthony Edwards listed right in the middle of some of the most talented athletes on the planet.

To get an idea of just how exclusive this list is, Ant is listed right after A’ja Wilson, arguably the best player in the WNBA and right before Max Verstappen, who pulled off one of the most astounding F1 racing seasons in history in 2023. Clearly, Edwards’ notoriety is climbing higher than ever before.

In the quick blurb Sports Illustrated provides us about Ant, we are quickly reminded that Minnesota’s franchise star is among the few candidates to become the next face of the NBA. And although he may not be quite as talented as a young Michael Jordan, Edwards brings a somewhat similar playstyle, impressive athleticism and an unmatched charisma to the court as well.

SI’s article reminds us that Ant is coming off back-to-back All-Star appearances along with his first All-NBA appearance this past season. He is beginning to hit a different level as an individual talent, while elevating his team at the same time.

But perhaps the biggest reason that Edwards is bound to continue his trajectory of greatness is that he wants it. Some guys don’t desire the spotlight, and say cliché things like they only want to do what the team needs them to do. But Ant is a different breed.

That does not mean he is not still a team player, but it is obvious that Edwards has a hunger for success and an extremely high, perhaps even delusional, belief in himself. The best athletes in the world know that when you reach the kind of level Ant is currently at, sometimes delusion can actually end up propelling you to achieve more than many ever thought possible.

Being included on a list like this is a massive hat tip from Sports Illustrated to Anthony Edwards. It is becoming clearer that the Timberwolves’ star is reaching a level of recognizability and influence rivaled by perhaps no one else in Minnesota’s history outside of Kevin Garnett.