Anthony “Ant‑Man” Edwards has always let his play speak volumes— with the  Minnesota Timberwolves making it to the Western Conference Finals for the second year in a row, NBA a familiar phrase is once again in his orbit, “face of the league.”

Making Edwards the face of the league makes sense. He is electrifying, unapologetic, and unfiltered. Those are the same reasons that justify his repeated denial of the role. 

Making Edwards the face of the league makes sense. He is electrifying, unapologetic, and unfiltered. Those are the same reasons that justify his repeated denial of the role. 

In the 2024–25 regular season, Edwards exploded for 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game across 79 outings, ranking him 4th in league scoring. 

In the 2024–25 regular season, Edwards exploded for 27.6 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game across 79 outings, ranking him 4th in league scoring. 

Is it logical for a player who has charted postseason dominance with a franchise-record of 43 points in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semis — and back-to-back 40+ performances — to think he can shy away from the spotlight? His talents are reminiscent of Kobe, MJ, LeBron, and other legends. Talent can never hide from the shine of the spotlight. 

Is it logical for a player who has charted postseason dominance with a franchise-record of 43 points in Game 1 of the Western Conference Semis — and back-to-back 40+ performances — to think he can shy away from the spotlight? His talents are reminiscent of Kobe, MJ, LeBron, and other legends. Talent can never hide from the shine of the spotlight. 

Yet, Edwards shrugs the title off every single time it is mentioned. “Face of the NBA? Man, there’s a lot of sh– that comes with that,” he told The Guardian. “I just want to play ball, go to the crib, and play my game.”

Yet, Edwards shrugs the title off every single time it is mentioned. “Face of the NBA? Man, there’s a lot of sh– that comes with that,” he told The Guardian. “I just want to play ball, go to the crib, and play my game.”

That is easier said than done. Sports analysts, reporters, fans, and even King James himself have thrust Edwards into the position. Why? Because he has everything you want from a superstar. He has an infectious smile, an unyielding love for the game and his teammates, and a realness that makes him relatable. 

That is easier said than done. Sports analysts, reporters, fans, and even King James himself have thrust Edwards into the position. Why? Because he has everything you want from a superstar. He has an infectious smile, an unyielding love for the game and his teammates, and a realness that makes him relatable. 

The NBA needs players like Edwards—genuine, magnetic, flat-out fearless. It makes sense that Anthony Edwards wants to play basketball and live his life without the burden of living up to the standards that come with being the face of the league.

The NBA needs players like Edwards—genuine, magnetic, flat-out fearless. It makes sense that Anthony Edwards wants to play basketball and live his life without the burden of living up to the standards that come with being the face of the league.

But, in the words of Grandpa from the movie Holes, “That’s too damn bad!” Anthony Edwards is the undisputed face of the NBA!

But, in the words of Grandpa from the movie Holes, “That’s too damn bad!” Anthony Edwards is the undisputed face of the NBA!

In 2017, Maya Moore was named Sports Illustrated’s Performer of the Year, with the magazine calling her the “greatest winner in the history of women’s basketball.” 

That title was well-earned. Moore’s dominance on the court was evident from the very beginning. She racked up top honors in high school, earning National Gatorade Player of the Year, Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year, and McDonald’s All-American titles.

That title was well-earned. Moore’s dominance on the court was evident from the very beginning. She racked up top honors in high school, earning National Gatorade Player of the Year, Gatorade Female Athlete of the Year, and McDonald’s All-American titles.

She took her game to the next level at UConn, playing forward for the Huskies and leading them to back-to-back national championships in 2009 and 2010.

She took her game to the next level at UConn, playing forward for the Huskies and leading them to back-to-back national championships in 2009 and 2010.

Her award-winning college play was far from over. Moore won the John Wooden Award in 2009 after spearheading Connecticut’s undefeated championship run. She didn’t stop there. She guided UConn to another title the following season, extending their unbeaten streak to 78 games. By the 2010–11 season, Moore helped push that streak to an astonishing 90 games—an NCAA record across all divisions and genders.

Her award-winning college play was far from over. Moore won the John Wooden Award in 2009 after spearheading Connecticut’s undefeated championship run. She didn’t stop there. She guided UConn to another title the following season, extending their unbeaten streak to 78 games. By the 2010–11 season, Moore helped push that streak to an astonishing 90 games—an NCAA record across all divisions and genders.

Her success wasn’t just about wins; she made history off the court, becoming the first female basketball player to sign with Air Jordan. By the end of the 2017 season, her overall record in the U.S. since high school stood at a jaw-dropping 497–78—a testament to her legacy as one of the greatest winners in the sport.

Her success wasn’t just about wins; she made history off the court, becoming the first female basketball player to sign with Air Jordan. By the end of the 2017 season, her overall record in the U.S. since high school stood at a jaw-dropping 497–78—a testament to her legacy as one of the greatest winners in the sport.

Her transition to the professional WNBA world was highly anticipated. She was selected first overall by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2011 draft.

Her transition to the professional WNBA world was highly anticipated. She was selected first overall by the Minnesota Lynx in the 2011 draft.

Her rookie year was bound to elevate her play as she ran the floor alongside established WNBA greats like Seimone Augustus, Rebekkah Brunson, and Lindsay Whalen. Her success as a professional is longer than a CVS receipt.

Her rookie year was bound to elevate her play as she ran the floor alongside established WNBA greats like Seimone Augustus, Rebekkah Brunson, and Lindsay Whalen. Her success as a professional is longer than a CVS receipt.

She burst onto the scene in 2011, winning Rookie of the Year, and only got better from there. She captured four WNBA championships (2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017) with the Minnesota Lynx, earning Finals MVP honors in 2013. Her dominance was undeniable, securing the league’s Most Valuable Player award in 2014 and a WNBA scoring title that same year.

She burst onto the scene in 2011, winning Rookie of the Year, and only got better from there. She captured four WNBA championships (2011, 2013, 2015, and 2017) with the Minnesota Lynx, earning Finals MVP honors in 2013. Her dominance was undeniable, securing the league’s Most Valuable Player award in 2014 and a WNBA scoring title that same year.

Moore wasn’t just a clutch performer in the playoffs—she also repeatedly shined on the big stage. She took home three WNBA All-Star Game MVP awards (2015, 2017, 2018) and was named to six All-Star teams and seven All-WNBA teams.

Moore wasn’t just a clutch performer in the playoffs—she also repeatedly shined on the big stage. She took home three WNBA All-Star Game MVP awards (2015, 2017, 2018) and was named to six All-Star teams and seven All-WNBA teams.

Her 2018 All-Star appearance would be her last. Not because she didn’t have plenty left in the tank — but because she decided to change her path. 

Her 2018 All-Star appearance would be her last. Not because she didn’t have plenty left in the tank — but because she decided to change her path. 

In 2017, Moore started Win With Justice to advocate for prosecutorial reform. She could have easily stayed in the league and completed 

In 2017, Moore started Win With Justice to advocate for prosecutorial reform. She could have easily stayed in the league and completed 

her advocacy work on the side, but she felt reform needed her full attention.

her advocacy work on the side, but she felt reform needed her full attention.

After meeting Jonathan Irons, a man serving a 50-year sentence after being convicted in 1998 of burglary and assault with a deadly weapon, Moore took a hard look at his case. She found that there was no corroborating evidence tying Irons to the crime.

After meeting Jonathan Irons, a man serving a 50-year sentence after being convicted in 1998 of burglary and assault with a deadly weapon, Moore took a hard look at his case. She found that there was no corroborating evidence tying Irons to the crime.

Instead, prosecutors claimed Irons had confessed, and he was ultimately found guilty by an all-white jury. This led Moore to do something no other athlete had done before—walk away from their sport to focus on social justice.

Instead, prosecutors claimed Irons had confessed, and he was ultimately found guilty by an all-white jury. This led Moore to do something no other athlete had done before—walk away from their sport to focus on social justice.

Moore didn’t just step away—she left at her peak. The sacrifice paid off. After serving 23 years in prison, Irons was released on July 1, 2020, thanks to the relentless work of Moore and a team of attorneys. The couple got engaged the next day and were married later that month.

Moore didn’t just step away—she left at her peak. The sacrifice paid off. After serving 23 years in prison, Irons was released on July 1, 2020, thanks to the relentless work of Moore and a team of attorneys. The couple got engaged the next day and were married later that month.

In 2023, Moore and her husband officially founded Win With Justice. In 2022, they welcomed a son. Moore, who spent her entire career in Minnesota, had her Lynx jersey retired on August 24, 2024, after the Lynx defeated the Indiana Fever.

In 2023, Moore and her husband officially founded Win With Justice. In 2022, they welcomed a son. Moore, who spent her entire career in Minnesota, had her Lynx jersey retired on August 24, 2024, after the Lynx defeated the Indiana Fever.

For fans wondering if she’ll ever consider a comeback—don’t count on it.

For fans wondering if she’ll ever consider a comeback—don’t count on it.

Moore is clearly happy in her new role as an advocate, mother, and wife, telling ESPN, “The journey that I had was not expected, but it was exactly the journey that I was supposed to go on.”

Moore is clearly happy in her new role as an advocate, mother, and wife, telling ESPN, “The journey that I had was not expected, but it was exactly the journey that I was supposed to go on.”

It is amazing to see Black quarterbacks in the NFL. We’ve gone from a time when the league doubted that Black men were smart enough to play the position to an era when quarterbacks like Cam Newton were run into the ground to now, a league where players like Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, and Patrick Mahomes are setting the standard for all quarterbacks in the league.

Would I mention Caleb Williams in those same conversations? No, at least not yet. But it is just a matter of time. 

Would I mention Caleb Williams in those same conversations? No, at least not yet. But it is just a matter of time. 

In the 2024 NFL Draft, Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels made history as the first Black quarterbacks selected as the top two picks. This milestone reflects a broader shift in the NFL, where Black quarterbacks are increasingly recognized for their talent and leadership. Williams’ selection by the Chicago Bears underscores his individual prowess and symbolizes the league’s evolving attitudes toward Black quarterbacks.

In the 2024 NFL Draft, Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels made history as the first Black quarterbacks selected as the top two picks. This milestone reflects a broader shift in the NFL, where Black quarterbacks are increasingly recognized for their talent and leadership. Williams’ selection by the Chicago Bears underscores his individual prowess and symbolizes the league’s evolving attitudes toward Black quarterbacks.

Williams’ rookie season with the Bears wasn’t a quarterback masterclass; it was more of an introduction to his potential and resilience. 

Williams’ rookie season with the Bears wasn’t a quarterback masterclass; it was more of an introduction to his potential and resilience. 

Despite facing challenges, including a high number of sacks due to offensive line issues, he set franchise and NFL rookie records for passing attempts and yards.

Despite facing challenges, including a high number of sacks due to offensive line issues, he set franchise and NFL rookie records for passing attempts and yards.

His franchise records include the most passing attempts in a season (562), most passing yards by a rookie (3,541), most completions by a rookie (351), most touchdown passes by a rookie (20), highest passer rating by a rookie (87.8), and tied for the most 300-yard passing games (4).

His franchise records include the most passing attempts in a season (562), most passing yards by a rookie (3,541), most completions by a rookie (351), most touchdown passes by a rookie (20), highest passer rating by a rookie (87.8), and tied for the most 300-yard passing games (4).

He didn’t just set records for the Bears. He also set the NFL rookie record for the longest streak of passes without an interception with 353 while simultaneously taking 68 sacks. 

He didn’t just set records for the Bears. He also set the NFL rookie record for the longest streak of passes without an interception with 353 while simultaneously taking 68 sacks. 

Those sacks may have been a blessing in disguise. College is not the NFL, and rookies often face a learning curve. Pushing through offensive line troubles ultimately increased his ability to read defenses, process information quickly, and make smart decisions. His ability to scan the field and find the best target—even under pressure—is a hallmark of his game.

Those sacks may have been a blessing in disguise. College is not the NFL, and rookies often face a learning curve. Pushing through offensive line troubles ultimately increased his ability to read defenses, process information quickly, and make smart decisions. His ability to scan the field and find the best target—even under pressure—is a hallmark of his game.

Besides, if he can’t throw the ball, he can always pull it down and run. Although he had no rushing touchdowns this season, he still advanced the ball by rushing for 489 yards.

Besides, if he can’t throw the ball, he can always pull it down and run. Although he had no rushing touchdowns this season, he still advanced the ball by rushing for 489 yards.

Having poise under pressure is not something you can truly teach. It comes when the player has confidence in their ability to see a play through.  This is an area where Williams repeatedly proved that his star power is on the rise. 

Having poise under pressure is not something you can truly teach. It comes when the player has confidence in their ability to see a play through.  This is an area where Williams repeatedly proved that his star power is on the rise. 

His performance exemplifies the dynamic skill set that modern Black quarterbacks bring to the game, combining athleticism with strategic acumen.

His performance exemplifies the dynamic skill set that modern Black quarterbacks bring to the game, combining athleticism with strategic acumen.

Four years after Jalen Hurts was drafted in the second round by the Philadelphia Eagles, he has solidified his position as a superstar.

Four years after Jalen Hurts was drafted in the second round by the Philadelphia Eagles, he has solidified his position as a superstar.

One year after the Chicago Bears drafted Caleb Williams first overall, he has proved that he is the next man up.  

One year after the Chicago Bears drafted Caleb Williams first overall, he has proved that he is the next man up.  

Here is to the continued success of Williams and every Black quarterback in the NFL as they perpetually challenge outdated narratives and pave the way for future generations of athletes.

Here is to the continued success of Williams and every Black quarterback in the NFL as they perpetually challenge outdated narratives and pave the way for future generations of athletes.