No. 5 isn't just a digit on a jersey to Anthony Edwards. It's a number that represents a part of him. Edwards lost his mother & grandmother to cancer in the same year, reportedly both passing on the fifth of the month. His birthday is also on 8/5.
The number symbolizes so much for Edwards, including connective tissue between his hometown of Atlanta and his new home in Minnesota. Edwards wore No. 5 every step of the way from his youth on the Atlanta AAU circuit through high school at Holy Spirit Preparatory School and in college at Georgia.
“When he had all his greatest accomplishments to actually make it to the NBA, that’s the number he wore before anybody knew him,” said Justin Holland, his business manager and longtime friend. “A lot of athleticism. A lot more dunks. A different level of play because I got my number on my back now,” he said.
The No. 5 doesn’t weigh any less than the No. 1, so how much of a difference could it make? For those who know Edwards, they are not discounting the impact. He is a vibes player. If he feels good in the No. 5, that should be a good thing for Minnesota.