For the first time in three summers, Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards isn’t playing internationally for Team USA. But that doesn’t mean Edwards has been completely stateside the duration of his summer.
Coming up on his itinerary this month is Edwards’ first trip to China, as he, his agency and adidas, which markets Edwards’ signature shoes, have arranged promotional appearances in three Chinese cities: Shanghai, Chengdu and Beijing.
“I don’t think any of us know what to expect,” Edwards’ business manager Justin Holland said. He’s definitely excited about going. Ever since we’ve been making these trips, going to other countries with FIBA \[two seasons ago\], I think he’s getting excited as we get ready to leave.”
The trip is set to last eight days, with time for excursions to the Great Wall of China and visits with panda bears between promotional appearances for Edwards’ upcoming AE-2 shoe from adidas. Those appearances will include immersive basketball experiences for fans in what adidas is billing as the “Ant Farm,” some camp appearances and surprise appearances in those three cities as part of the “Believe That” tour.
Holland said Edwards is eager to see what the fan reception will be for him in China.
“We’ve seen the videos from James Harden, and we’ve seen the videos when other athletes go over so he’s anxious to see what the response will be with him going over there,” Holland said. “Because we’ve heard so much about how Chinese culture embraces the NBA.”
This trip to China has been in the works for Edwards and his team for over a year, as Holland, Edwards’ agency WME and adidas have worked to position Edwards as one of the leaders in the next generation of global basketball icons. Holland said the same qualities that attract fans to Edwards in the U.S. and Minnesota are what draws fans to him overseas, and he said fans in China will likely be the same.
“It’s his authenticity and also a larger part of how he plays the game,” Holland said. “When athletes play with the type of passion Ant plays with, that’s something you can’t fake. I think especially playing in Minnesota, people see that grit, that hunger and that passion when he gets on the court every night. It just shines through.”