The NBA world knows Anthony Edwards as a talented shooting guard for the Minnesota Timberwolves, demonstrating brilliance and agility on the court. However, behind his successful career lies a heartbreaking family history marked by the tragic loss of his mother and grandmother to cancer, while he was still a young eighth grader.
Born on August 5, 2001, in Atlanta, Georgia, Anthony DeVante Edwards is the son of Yvette Edwards and Roger Caruth. Despite the pain of loss and separation, Edwards has managed to built an extraordinary path to success.
Known by the nickname “Ant-Man,” given by his father, Edwards’s journey began in Atlanta where he grew up under his mother and grandmother. His father, Caruth, now lives separately, no longer participates in his children’s day-to-day lives.
Edwards’s early days were filled with a strong passion for basketball, inspired by watching his brothers play in their grandmother’s backyard. Attending Daniel McLaughlin Therrell High School initially, he later transferred to Holy Spirit Preparatory School in Atlanta, building a solid foundation for his basketball future.
Anthony Edwards got a mural in his hometown of Atlanta yesterday
The mural also has his late mother and grandmother alongside him ❤️
(via @Timberwolves)pic.twitter.com/doxCbobM0f
— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) September 24, 2023
In a beautiful tribute yesterday, Edwards’ hometown of Atlanta unveiled a mural in honor of the launch of Adidas Basketball AE 1, Edwards’ first signature shoe with the brand. The mural features Edwards alongside images of his late mother and grandmother.
Anthony Edwards overcoming personal loss and continuing family bonds
The loss of his mother, Chrisha Yvette Edwards, and grandmother, Shirley, within an eight-month span in 2015, heavily impacted Edwards.
Born on October 17, 1972, Chrisha was an unwavering support for her son. Edwards wears the No. 5 shirt as a tribute to their memory, denoting the day of the month on which both loving family members died away. This personal homage reflects the deep affection and bond he still feels for his mother and grandmother.
Anthony Edwards on why he switched to No. 5, per Shams:
“No. 5 signifies his grandmother passed away on the 5th of the month, his mother also passed away on on the 5th of the month, and he was born on the 5th of the month.”
(Via @TheRally) pic.twitter.com/hOQmg7GNBa
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) September 1, 2023
Following the tragedy, Edwards’s siblings, Antoinette and Antoine, took on the roles of his guardians. Despite the loss, the bond within the Edwards family has remained strong and unbroken, guiding the young NBA star in his professional and personal life.
Antoine and his wife Sandy, entrepreneurs in travel and event planning, continue to be a consistent support for Edwards, along with his sister Antoinette, a successful business owner and mother.
As Edwards continues to thrive in his NBA career, his family’s strength and unity remain throughout his journey. Despite the pain of the past, Edwards’s commitment to his family and his passion for basketball continue to be the guide for his successful career.
