NBA
Why is Anthony Edwards called Ant? What other nicknames does he have?
The nickname originates from the way he approaches life with the same grit and strength, but also having fun whether facing challenges on the court or off.
Anthony Edwards is a professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA. He was the first overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft and has been an All-Star in the 2022–23 and 2023–24 seasons. Edwards also won a gold medal with the 2024 U.S. Olympic team.
Before his professional career, he played college basketball for the Georgia Bulldogs and was named SEC Freshman of the Year.
In addition to his on-court performance, Edwards has also become known for his fun-loving personality and animated demeanor. He is often seen joking with teammates and opponents and has even been caught on camera pulling off some impressive dance moves during timeouts.
His playful nature has endeared him to fans and helped make him a fan favorite despite his rookie status in the league. As a fan and a media favorite, it was soon expected that he would start getting nicknames like all the greats before him (Magic, MJ, Dream, Shaq, AI...).
How did Ant happen'?
The name originated from his father, who gave it to him when he was just three years old as part of a family tradition of giving each child a unique nickname. Anthony’s older siblings were known as Antony (Bubba), Antoinette (Mee-see), and Antoine (Toine), and with so many similar names, it was only fitting that Anthony would be known as “Ant” by his father.
The nickname “Ant-Man” later stuck with Anthony Edwards as he developed his basketball skills and rose to fame in his hometown and community.
It followed him to the University of Georgia and then into the NBA, where it is widely used by fans, opponents, and even by Edwards himself on social media.
Over time, the nickname has become symbolic of his approach to life on and off the court - with decisiveness, strength, and playful behavior.