Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards taking shoe-promotion tour of China

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.

“You see him on the court on one hand and he’s an absolute monster, and he comes off the court and gives you that fun-loving personality, it’s a beautiful mix and people tend to gravitate toward it.”

But while Edwards is embarking on this international trip, he has spent much of his offseason working out in Minnesota. In recent weeks, the team has posted pictures and videos of him going through on-court workouts and lifting weights.

Likely not far off in those pictures are three of the people with whom Edwards has worked for several years with the Wolves: Javair Gillett (vice president of sports science and performance), David Hines (VP of medical operations and performances) and Chris Hines (head of player development).

“We got a pretty good trio of trainers within the Timberwolves organization,” Holland said. “I feel like that are the best in the business, and he’s completely bought in.”

For instance, Holland said Edwards has placed an emphasis on maintaining his body in different ways than before, like in proper stretching. Edwards has always been a hard worker who spends a lot of time in the gym. Holland said this summer he sees “a different look in his eye.”

As for what specifically Edwards is working on, Edwards has wanted to keep that quiet, but most years with the Wolves he has worked on his midrange game. It’s also a safe bet that Edwards may be working on how to counteract all the different ways in which teams try to limit him with multiple defenders and different looks. Edwards has encouraged a lot of his teammates to stay in Minnesota to work out with him over the summer. That can help build camaraderie ahead of training camp, which opens for the Wolves on Sept. 29.

To Holland, this summer has marked another step in the gradual evolution of Edwards has a leader. Over the last few seasons, he has become more of vocal leader after he was hesitant to do so in his first few seasons. This year, Holland said he could sense Edwards emerging as a “primary leader.”