Georgia star Anthony ‘Antman’ Edwards already making Bulldogs’ basketball history

ATHENS — Georgia freshman Anthony “Antman” Edwards has yet to play a minute of SEC basketball, but already, he has made modern-day program history.

At least, from a hype and expectations standpoint.

Edwards became the first Bulldogs’ freshman named first-team preseason All-SEC by media since the league introduced media day in 1989. The preseason All-SEC team was announced on Tuesday, the day before the league’s annual basketball media days event in Birmingham, Ala.

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Edwards, a 5-star recruit from Atlanta, was a consensus Top 5-rated 2019 signee — No. 1, per 247Sports. He is expected to lead the Bulldogs from the point guard position.

Other first-team All-SEC preseason picks, per the UGA release: Kerry Blackshear of Florida, Ashton Hagans of Kentucky, Breein Tyree of Ole Miss and Reggie Perry of Mississippi State.

The Bulldogs were predicted to finish ninth in the SEC, by the select media panel.

Edwards made his Stegeman Coliseum debut last Friday at the the “Stegmania” fan event. The former Holy Spirit Prep (Atlanta) standout scored 8 points on 4-of-6 shooting in the 12-minute intrasquad scrimmage

Edwards brought the ball up the court, an indication he will handle point guard responsibilities along with the shooting guard role.

It has been a focus for Edwards, who is expected to play one season and turn pro. Edwards is already projected as an NBA lottery pick.

“I’m working on my point guard skills a lot,” Edwards said. “Trying to pass the ball more, play without the ball, bring the ball up the court, pushing it, calling plays just trying to direct my team in the right path.”

Edwards was also announced as one of 20 players on The Jerry West Shooting Guard Watch List by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

There are six other SEC players on the list, which goes to the top shooting guard in the nation. The other SEC players are: Isaiah Joe of Arkansas, Tyrese Maxey of Kentucky, Skylar Mays of LSU, Breein Tyree of Ole Miss, A.J. Lawson of South Carolina and Jordan Bowden of Tennessee.

Anthony “Antman” Edwards