Anthony Edwards Refuses to Play NBA 2K Until He's Rated 99; Very Serious About Madden

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards is one of the fastest-rising superstars in the NBA, but he won't be satisfied until he's regarded as one of the best players in the league.

An interaction between Edwards and Minnesota Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson captured by ESPN's Jamal Collier illustrates how Edwards remains motivated to continue his ascent as he enters his fifth year in the NBA.

While discussing plans to play video games against one another, Edwards declared, "I don't play [NBA] 2K, but we can play Madden."

Collier noted that Edwards "takes Madden very seriously," but his reason for preferring the famed football video game over the basketball game goes deeper than that.

"Why you don't play 2K?" Jefferson asked.

Edwards, who currently has an overall rating of 94 in the game, responded, "I ain't playing till I'm a 99."

Edwards' quest for greatness is one that Jefferson respects.

"Straight up," Jefferson laughed as they dapped each other up. "I feel you."

"After this year, maybe," Edwards said.

The 23-year-old was an All-Star selection in each of the last two seasons. He will have more on his shoulders this year after the Timberwolves traded star center Karl-Anthony Towns to the New York Knicks, so perhaps he will prove to ratings adjusters that he's worthy of a 99.

Edwards and the Timberwolves will open the 2024-25 season on Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Lakers.