Family stands as the cornerstone of Anthony Edwards’ world, a principle deeply rooted since his early years. For the Minnesota Timberwolves star, his siblings are not just family; they are his unwavering team for life. Anthony shares a close bond with his older sister, Antoinette Edwards, and his brothers, Bubba Edwards and Antoine Edwards. This tight-knit relationship solidified after the heartbreaking loss of their mother, Yvette, when Anthony was just 14, followed shortly by the passing of their grandmother, Shirley.
In a poignant 2024 episode of the NBA’s Pass The Rock series, Bubba Edwards reflected on these profound losses, sharing how it drew them even closer. “That’s all [we’ve] got left,” he poignantly stated, emphasizing the irreplaceable bond they share. Anthony himself acknowledged the pivotal role his older siblings played in navigating the aftermath of their mother and grandmother’s deaths. He expressed a deep sense of loyalty and trust, stating, “I just don’t trust people. The people I came in with is the people I’m gonna stay with. I’m not adding no other people to my circle. I think that’s the point of having siblings, is to be there for each other.”
Here’s a closer look at Anthony Edwards’ siblings – Antoinette, Bubba, and Antoine – and their integral roles in his life and career.
Antoinette Edwards: The Guiding Sister
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Antoinette Edwards, Anthony Edwards’ older sister, watches as her brother plays for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Antoinette Edwards stands as the eldest sibling and a pillar of strength for Anthony and her brothers. In a 2023 interview with The Athletic, she spoke fondly of their upbringing, crediting their mother and grandmother for instilling strong values in them. “You’ve got to work for what you want,” Antoinette emphasized, “They just raised us the correct way. And that’s why we act the way we do. We know how to act around people.” This upbringing shaped not only Anthony’s character but also the family’s collective resilience.
When Yvette and Shirley passed away within months of each other, Antoinette, then 20, stepped up in a remarkable way. It was Shirley herself who encouraged Antoinette to seek custody of her younger brothers, a testament to her foresight and trust in her granddaughter. Anthony has openly acknowledged Antoinette’s crucial role in holding the family together during this incredibly challenging period. He movingly described her influence to The Athletic in 2023, “Me and my two brothers were like sheets of paper and she was the staple. She kept everything together.” Antoinette’s dedication ensured the family remained united and supported through their grief and beyond.
Bubba Edwards: Brother, Rapper, and Biggest Fan
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Bubba Edwards, Anthony Edwards’ brother and musician bdifferent, performs at a Minnesota Timberwolves game halftime show.
Bubba Edwards, three years Anthony’s senior, is not only his brother but also his original inspiration in basketball and now a successful rapper known as bdifferent. According to ESPN, Bubba’s early involvement in basketball played a significant role in Anthony’s initial interest in the sport. Bubba’s Spotify artist page reveals the profound impact of losing his mother and grandmother at 17. He described this period to ESPN in 2020 as a “strike to the heart,” recalling, “All our life the most supportive and loving people we had was our mom and grandmother. For them both to end up passing, it was just like a strike to the heart. It turns your heart cold. You don’t have the support you once had. You don’t have the love that you once had. So am I going to ever find that again?”
Despite these hardships, Bubba channeled his experiences into his music. The New York Times highlighted Bubba’s influence on Anthony’s career path, quoting Anthony in 2023, “I wasn’t really a basketball guy growing up, but watching him, I decided to follow in his footsteps. If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be up here. I just want to thank him.”
Even as Anthony achieved NBA stardom after being drafted in 2020, Bubba remains his steadfast supporter and fan. In a FOX 9 interview four years later, Bubba expressed his awe, “It’s crazy for me when they call my brother Anthony’s name in the starting lineup. It’s like a dream. I’m watching a live dream.”
Bubba’s journey led him to earn an associate’s degree in biology from Marion Military Institute, during which he discovered his passion for rap, using it as an outlet for therapy and self-expression. His music, categorized as “conscientious rap,” blends funk, pop, soul, and trap, reflecting his unique personality and insightful perspective.
Anthony proudly supports Bubba’s music career. In a 2022 Instagram post promoting Bose, for whom Anthony is an ambassador, he mentioned that Bubba created his “signature sound.” Bubba’s career reached a new height when he performed at halftime during game six of the Timberwolves vs. Nuggets playoff series in May 2024. “I appreciate the opportunity, and it’s just a blessing, man,” Bubba shared with FOX 9 before his performance. “I get to do what I love in front of thousands [of] people.” Bubba also revealed Anthony’s unwavering encouragement: “He’s on my head all the time about sending new songs, you know, because he like to get hyped before the game. So, he pressures me on sending new songs and stuff like that. So, he’s super supportive.”
Antoine Edwards: The Brother Who Pushed Him to Excel
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Antoine Edwards, another of Anthony Edwards’ older brothers, has been a constant support throughout his basketball journey.
Antoine Edwards, the other older brother in the Anthony Edwards Family, also served as Anthony’s guardian alongside Antoinette. According to ESPN, Antoine played a crucial role in Anthony’s life, particularly after the family’s losses. Speaking to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2019, Antoine reflected on Anthony’s reaction to their mother and grandmother’s passing: “He took (the deaths of his mother and grandmother) and started excelling in basketball afterward. It took a toll on him, but it didn’t take the kind of toll that it broke him down. It made him stronger. It made him push harder. It turned his game to a whole different level.”
While Antoine did not pursue a professional basketball career himself, he played a significant role in Anthony’s development. The brothers honed their skills playing 1-on-1 on a court behind their grandmother’s house during their childhood. This early competition and Antoine’s support were instrumental in shaping Anthony into the player he is today.
In conclusion, the Anthony Edwards family story is one of resilience, love, and unwavering support. Antoinette, Bubba, and Antoine have each played unique and vital roles in Anthony’s life, both personally and professionally. Their bond, forged in the face of loss, remains a powerful testament to the strength of family and the enduring impact of sibling relationships. They are, indeed, Anthony Edwards’ teammates for life.
