Context:

Anthony Edwards, known as 'Ant Man,' rose to NBA stardom despite facing personal tragedies, being supported by his siblings after losing his mother and grandmother to cancer in 2015. His mother, Chrisha Yvette Edwards, was a significant influence, attending all his games and being a source of criticism and motivation. Edwards honors his late mother and grandmother by wearing the number 5, signifying the date of their deaths, and attributes his drive to their memory. His siblings, particularly his brother Bubba and sister Antoinette, played crucial roles in his upbringing, with Bubba inspiring his basketball career and Antoinette providing family stability. Edwards also has a daughter, Aislynn, with his girlfriend Shannon Jackson, and a strong family connection continues to be a central theme in his life and career.

Dive Deeper:

• Anthony Edwards faced significant personal loss at a young age, losing his mother and grandmother to cancer in 2015, which deeply impacted his life and career. His mother, Chrisha Yvette Edwards, was his biggest supporter and critic, ensuring she attended all his games and motivated him to excel.

• The deaths of his mother and grandmother pushed Edwards to strive harder in basketball, honoring them by wearing the number 5, a tribute to the date they passed away. He expressed that their memory continues to drive him to succeed and motivates him to be resilient.

• Edwards' siblings, particularly his older brother Antoine and sister Antoinette, took over his guardianship and played vital roles in raising him. Antoinette especially provided stability and support, ensuring the family remained connected after their mother's and grandmother's deaths.

• His brother Bubba, who is also a rapper known as 'bdifferent,' inspired Edwards to pursue basketball, as Anthony initially followed in his brother's footsteps. Bubba's influence extended beyond sports, as Anthony also supports his music career, showcasing their strong sibling bond.

• Edwards is a father of three confirmed children and a possible fourth, with his daughter Aislynn being born to his girlfriend Shannon Jackson. This family aspect is pivotal to his identity, as he often cites his daughter and family as sources of inspiration and motivation in his basketball journey.

• Anthony Edwards has blossomed into one of the NBA's biggest stars. 

• The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft has slowly ascended into stardom, leading the Timberwolves to multiple playoff series wins and already earning a few All-Star bids by age 23. As one of the youngest and most talented players in the league, many have put expectations on Edwards to be one of the faces of basketball once stars like LeBron James and Stephen Curry retire.

• Throughout his young career, "Ant Man" — a nickname Edwards told ESPN in 2020 that his father gave him as a child — has outwardly expressed the support he feels from his family and how it motivates him.

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• Here's everything to know about Edwards' family tree, from his mother and siblings to his own children.

• Anthony Edwards family tree

  Here's a look at Edwards' full family tree.

• Anthony Edwards' mom

  Edwards was born to his mother, Chrisha Yvette Edwards, and his father, whose name is not known, in August 2001. 

• ESPN's profile of Edwards in 2020 described how his mother would "make it out for every game" as he grew into a standout athlete, being both his toughest critic and a cheerleader. When Edwards was drafted to the NBA in 2020, he had portraits of his late mother and grandmother sitting directly beside him as his name was called.

• In a feature to go alongside his draft selection, Edwards told ESPN that his mother was "always happy" and "nobody could ever make her mad."

• Anthony Edwards' grandma

  Edwards' grandmother was Shirley Edwards, someone he's said was one of his biggest supporters as a young athlete. When he was drafted by Minnesota, an ESPN feature included Edwards saying his grandmother "kept everything together."

• Edwards' mother, Yvette, and his grandmother, Shirley, both died of cancer over an eight-month span in 2015 when Edwards was 14. He spoke to ESPN about losing his mother and grandmother in 2020.

• "There are only two people who are going to get my all, but that's over with," Edwards told ESPN. "Nobody's going to get it."

• When he was drafted and spoke about his family to ESPN, the basketball star said, "Everything I do, I wish they [were] here to see it," referring to his mother and grandmother. 

• "My angels, my mom and my grandmother, they keep me uplifted. They wake me up every day with a smile on my face," Edwards told ESPN. "I just keep going for them."

• Edwards has worn the No. 5 on the court throughout high school, college and the NBA to honor his mother and grandmother, 247Sports first reported in 2020. He chose the number because both died on the fifth of the month. He told 247Sports before being drafted to the NBA that his mother and grandmother's death pushed him harder to succeed.

• “That just made me go harder because I know they would want to see me at the top so that made me go harder really that’s all that was,” Edwards told 247Sports. “I already had a chip on my shoulder because nobody really knew who I was but that really drove me to really work hard.”

• In December, Edwards was surprised by his grandfather, Ben Edwards, who was attending one of his basketball games for the first time since Edwards was in high school.

• "I’m just happy he was here," Edwards said postgame, per the Star Tribune. "My heart was warm when I seen him. That was great.”

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