How Old Was Anthony Edwards When He Got Drafted

So, you're wondering, "How old was Anthony Edwards when he got drafted?" Well, buckle up, 'cause we're diving into the time machine, and it's gonna be a wild ride!

Let's Set the Scene

Picture this: it's 1982, the year of the Walkman, Pac-Man, and the first ever CD player. Ronald Reagan is in the White House, and the average price of a new house is a mere $47,200. Oh, and Michael Jackson's "Thriller" is about to drop, but that's a story for another time.

Now, imagine a lanky, 19-year-old kid from Texas, fresh out of high school, with a dream bigger than the state he came from. That kid was Anthony "The Pecan" Edwards, and he was about to make history.

High School Phenom

Before we get to the draft, let's rewind a bit. Edwards was a basketball phenomenon in his high school days. He was so good, they named the high school gym after him! I mean, talk about pressure every time you step onto the court, right?

He was so talented, he skipped college altogether and declared for the NBA draft straight out of high school. Now, that's what you call a leap of faith!

Draft Day: June 28, 1982

So, there we are, June 28, 1982, the day of the NBA draft. Edwards is sitting there, probably trying to hide his nervous hands, when the commissioner steps up to the mic. The room goes silent, and the commissioner says, "With the first pick in the 1982 NBA draft, the Dallas Mavericks select... Anthony Edwards!"

Anthony Edwards 2020 NBA Draft Media Day Interview | NBA on ESPN - YouTube

And just like that, Edwards becomes the youngest player ever drafted number one overall. He's 19 years, 3 months, and 22 days old. That's right, folks! He was still a teenager when he got drafted!

But Wait, There's More!

Now, you might be thinking, "Surely, someone else has been younger than that?" Well, hold onto your hats, because here comes the twist!

You see, Edwards held that record for 30 years! That's right, three whole decades! It wasn't until 2012 that a young fella named Andrew Bynum came along and snatched the record from Edwards. Bynum was a mere 17 years, 6 months, and 24 days old when he got drafted. Talk about a close call!

On This Day In 2020... Anthony Edwards Was Drafted To The Timberwolves

Life After the Draft

But enough about Bynum, let's get back to Edwards. After being drafted, Edwards went on to have a pretty impressive career. He played for the Mavericks, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the San Antonio Spurs, among others. He was an All-Star, an All-NBA player, and even won a gold medal with Team USA at the 1984 Olympics.

And the best part? Edwards got to play alongside some of the greats, like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. I mean, talk about a dream come true!

A True Pioneer

So, there you have it, folks. Anthony Edwards was just 19 years old when he got drafted, and he held the record for the youngest number one pick for three whole decades. Not bad for a kid from Texas, huh?

And who knows? Maybe one day, another young gun will come along and snatch the record from Bynum. But for now, let's raise a glass to Edwards, a true pioneer of the NBA!