Fresh off a star-studded run with the Minnesota Timberwolves that saw them reach the 2024 Western Conference Finals, Anthony Edwards is soaking up everything the Paris 2024 Olympics has to offer so far.
For the U.S. team’s guard, few experiences have been as enjoyable as table tennis.
On Monday, a day after she had 11 points and five rebounds in the United States’ 110-84 win over Serbia in their Olympic opener, Edwards was among the enthusiastic crowd cheering on Lily Zhang of the United States and Bruna Takahashi of Brazil in the round of 32 women’s table tennis singles match.
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Zhang won 4-2 and advanced to the round of 16.
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This is not Edwards’ first involvement in the sport since arriving in Paris.
Aboard a boat carrying the U.S. delegation ahead of Friday’s opening ceremonies on the Seine River, Edwards met with members of the U.S. table tennis team and insisted he score at least one point against them in a match. Olympic teammate Stephen Curry urged Edwards, saying, “They say you can crush them by 21.”
“I can’t believe it. I’m not going to accept that,” Edwards said. “11-0? We’re only going to get one point.”
That an NBA superstar, especially one with Edwards’ magnetic personality, would so readily embrace and clearly enjoy a sport so different and lesser known than his own sparked amused reactions on social media.
